There are lots of ways you can interact with your baby during the day and many activities to be done which aren't rocket science. As well as being fun these activities bond you and baby together in deeper ways than we can imagine.
Here is the routine I followed in the day. There are no actual "times" for these activities due to the fact most babies (especially mine) are not good at sticking to our routines. I know many mums who have managed using a time schedule for their babies and all good to them, me personally I believe in letting babies follow their own rhythm. In my experience as they get towards a year old, they start to look for routine and rituals, which in my mind is the ideal time to become more structured. So we used more of a checklist of things to get through the day in an order. Also I found that as weaning began and breast feeding settled into a pattern, it became easier for us to establish a routine.
Morning
Change Nappy and Top to Tail
Some babies are awake earlier than others some just want a change of nappy (or bum as we call it). then a feed and another nap, others are ready for a bit of interaction.
Feed Baby
I used to read the mail, email, or my current book if baby was sleepy, and read, sing or talk to them if they were more awake.
Fine Motor Skills Activities
Lay baby on a play mat with a play gym over them, or in a bouncer with toys above them, this is for them to practice touching, reaching grasping etc. If you cannot afford a baby gym then you can easily make one with very little money, otherwise check out your local newspapers, freecycle group or 2nd hand and charity shops (always make sure any toy you buy is cleaned by you using miltons for plastics and a hot wash for fabrics. Also make sure there are no broken/missing parts and that the toy is still robust).
My advice is to STAY in the same room as your baby at ALL times, just because a baby has never done something, doesn't mean they won't do it the minute your back is turned. So do the chores in that room (except using furniture polish or strong chemical cleaners).
In the background you can play either classical music or Baby Einstein Cd's
Nappy Change and Baby Massage
Change baby and using lotion massage baby gently
Snuggle Time
Sit baby on your lap, read board books, sing nursery rhymes and play baby games like this little piggy, keep it low key but fun for baby, use small soft toys which are good to grasp (no flufflies).
Usually by this time if not before baby will either be asleep or at least ready for one.
Nap Time
If like a few of mine baby after 2 months doesn't ever seem to go to sleep and it feels like you will never get anything done, then there are a few tricks I picked up the favourite one is to carry baby in a sling while doing very light housework, or a backpack while I was vacuuming or doing a lot of lifting etc. Other tricks are going for a walk (this was admittedly easier when I had just one baby or a double buggy for the two eldest with a back pack for baby #3 - after that well.........).
Once baby is awake one of two things is gonna be apparent - either baby wants to play or they want feeding.
Tummy-time
Due to the advice that babies be put tp sleep on their backs a few things have occured.
1. SIDS or "cot death" has lessened but in all honesty I think that back to bed advice is a small part of this, personally I think getting rid of the bumpers, toys and too many blankets (not to mention the changes to mattresses) have had a bigger impact on the numbers.
2. The number of misshapen heads in infants has dramatically risen, I noticed while I was a nanny the difference in children left on their backs too much and those that were carried or rocked and allowed to be on their tummies.
3. The developmental timeline in babies has slowed - most babies naturally do not like to be on their tummies, and will usually try very hard to roll onto their backs. When I was a baby it was common practice to put baby to bed on their tummies and my mum has for years told stories of me turning over at 2 months not 4 - 5 as normal now.
In response to this I have always had times in the day where I lay my babies on their tummy. I don't like to see babies screaming or thrashing about in frustration, I feel awful, my hormones are surging and every cell in my being tells me to pick the baby up - it obvious that they dont like it - but, I recognise that tummy time is necessary and not really a torture for them, however much they would have you think it is.
In my own experience as a mum of 7 and a nanny, babysitter, God-mother, etc. etc. EVERY child is individual and ALL develop at their own speed. So I don't give a time for tummy time and advise you to just play it by ear, start slowly and work up a little.
- Make sure baby doesnt need a change of nappy or is too hungry or has just fed
- Make sure the room is warm and no draughts across the floor.
- Make sure there is a peaceful atmosphere (and no toddlers/children/pets running ramp).
- Lay baby tummy down on a play mat or blanket on the floor, (ALWAYS supervise your baby during tummy time).
- Lay small baby toys on floor near baby, mostly just out side of their reach to encourage stretching and rocking on their tummy.
- If (when) baby cries, try not to over react and pick them up immediately - use your voice to soothe them, Lay down with them if need be (you probably could do with the rest lol). Sit/lay on floor and rub their back gently to soothe them, lay on your tummy (if you can) and play with your baby encouraging them to look up at you (early baby yoga lol).
I also used to use this time to do yoga at this point even if it was just for 5 minutes at a time :)
Lunch & Milk Feed
Once baby is weaned give lunch. Make sure you eat too. :)
Sit quietly with baby after lunch and feed baby, use this time to make eye contact, stroke their face and hands etc, sing gentle lullabies to baby or play soothing gentle music - and preferably not reggae as my husband used to "settle" Joseph :/
Bib off, clean off and/or nappy change if necessary, followed by a short gentle massage or strokes to help baby relax and unwind. I used to sometimes break the feed into two and finish the second half in their rooms when possible.
Afternoon Nap Time
Place baby to sleep in their crib/cot.
I used this time to do any chores upstairs that needed doing while baby settled, the only other chores to be done while baby sleeps is to prepare dinner and then enjoy time with my other children.
Social Time
Play or be a part of other kids play and activities. Good time for play dates or toddler groups etc. If not possible for some reason then spend time with child close to you reading books and taling smiling coo'ing etc.
Feed & Change as Necessary
see above
Tummy Time
see above
Physical Play
Use this time to play bicycles with your babies legs, to name their body part, play with their finger and toes, play jumping beans etc.
Feed & Change as Necessary
see above
Swing Time
Usually this was for when I was cooking dinner and had loads to do at once, I put baby into a variety of swinging things, to begin with they were usually on my back in the carrier, however now there are swinging chairs (which my husband said years ago would be a great idea - my reply was why would anyone want to put a baby down for that long (oh how naive I was lol). As my babies developed and could hold themselves upright I used a door bouncer (again not to be used around chaotic kids and pets running ramp). And then when they could sit up I used an indoor swing.
Dinner/Feed & Change
Once weaned feed baby dinner, clean up and remove bib
Change nappy when necessary
Playtime
Choose from either tummy time/swinging or social time.
Bath-time
Run a nice warm bath and
enjoy the bubble together if possible.
Baby Massage
Enjoy a nice snuggle after a gentle massage
Bedtime Routine
This is different for every child some are good sleepers and some aren't so read what you can and then make a choice on how you want your bedtime routine to go. Ours goes something like this:
- Bath Time
- Baby massage
- Nappy & dress for bed
- Lullaby/Story
- Feed if necessary
- Lay in crib/cot
- Play soothing music (very low)
I also found a ticking clock to be quite useful for a couple of my kiddies that weren't good sleepers. None of mine have been great at self-soothing. But eventually they get it.
I have to admit that all my kids have bedded with me and hubby till off the breast or sleeping through the night for some this has been 6 months for others 18months - 2 & 1/2 years. Since 3 of my children have ADHD/ASD sleep has never been a great area for any of us. I, myself am an insomniac and had many sleep issues as a child, so here more than anything other than food I definately understand that "one size does NOT fit all".
Baby Sign Language
Although I never used a signing curriculum or structure - I noticed early that my children all would make certain sounds and gestures when they wanted or didn't want something, so I used to repeat it to them during the day.
If you are using a baby sign language then use the sign at the appropriate time for example: use the sign for feed when its feed time, the sign for sleep at naptime or bedtime etc.