What do you do with infants 5-10 month olds?

[Anonymous]

I know there are plenty of resources online regarding activities to keep infants entertained, but I wanted real advice from people who actually do this everyday. Many parents post jobs needing a Full-Time nanny wanting someone who can ‘keep the baby entertained, planning age appropriate activities..etc’. What do you do to keep the baby busy for an entire day, everyday (before and after naps) until they’re roughly 11 months.

[Anonymous]

I have twin 7mo old charges (5mo old adjusted age) and we play on the floor with rattles (I play with them some but also let them play alone - I don't believe in being in a baby's face 24/7-, they play in their jumpers, we read books, do art (footprint art every Wed), they chill in their high chairs while I do dishes or make bottles. It's too hot for them to be outside (plus they HATE the stroller). Our days are pretty chill. Oh, we sometimes sing and practice our baby signs.

[Anonymous]

My charge is 8 months old. Our daily activities usually consist of reading, music and some crawling around in the morning. After his morning nap we go on a walk and to the park ( unless he has classes). After his afternoon nap we go back out again or stay in and play with toys and explore his home, until DB or MB gets here.

He loves being outside and so do I. I try to get him outside at least 1.5 - 2hrs, daily.

[Anonymous]

Read books, sing to them, go for walks, sensory play, floor play, outside time (lay a blanket on the grass and let them look up at the trees), etc.

[Anonymous]

I agree with everyone else,except the too hot outside statement.
Take the baby for a stroll early in the morning when it isn't hot.
I sing, tummy time or baby gym,read and talk to them through out
the day, hand rhymes,baby exercises, lap bounces and songs,massages
bathing peek a boo and silly games. Toys on the floor depending
On the age an excersaucer for no more than 15 minutes.

[Anonymous]

No artificial props needed.
Just baby, the world, and me.

Parents who think babies require "entertainment"
are grossly uninformed.

[Anonymous]

Playing on the floor - engaging the baby with toys, rolling balls, etc. Whatever makes him laugh, I'll do a hundred times! Talking - I narrate everything we do. Reading - my 9 month old loves books. We sing a lot - both have terrible voices but we enjoy it. We go for two long walks a day and I point our dogs, birds, trees, etc. Basically just keeping them engaged and learning most of the time. I give my charge independent play when I make his food or wash bottles and do cuddles before nap.

It's such a great age! It can get very lonely and tedious for the nanny, but watching the changes and responses at this age is pretty miraculous.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Read books, sing to them, go for walks, sensory play, floor play, outside time (lay a blanket on the grass and let them look up at the trees), etc.

Not OP, but I haven't done this yet and it's a great idea. Thanks!

[Anonymous]

Utilize those websites, OP. There are ages when peek-a-boo or hiding toys under blankets are recommended for teaching object permanence. There are ages when playing in a mirror is recommended. Personally I did a lot of music, walking outside, signing as much as possible, and eventually got so bored I was giving the baby lectures on the Latin roots of various words to preserve my sanity. Tummy time, obviously. Tactile experiences as much as possible. The pool if your NF is on board (I used to lifeguard and the swim instructor started with babies at four months - her three year old granddaughter could swim freely in the entire adult pool without any kind of prop or attending adult). Exersaucer or jumper for 15-20min per day if they like it. It is fairly tedious.

[Anonymous]

There's a great book that just came out called Retro Baby. I think you'll find it useful. Its by the AAP

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Read books, sing to them, go for walks, sensory play, floor play, outside time (lay a blanket on the grass and let them look up at the trees), etc.

Not OP, but I haven't done this yet and it's a great idea. Thanks!

PP here: no problem!! My twins were 5 months last summer and we would literally lay outside for 1-2 hours every morning and they would just be so content staring up at the sky and the trees and feeling the wind!

[Anonymous]

OP here, thank you all for all of your feedback !!

[Anonymous]

You can sign up for month to month emails (or even by week) of different activities you can do with your charge. My charge is almost 18 months now, but when he was younger we would go for walks, read books, play on the floor/do tummy time, etc. I also agree that you should give the baby time to play by themselves. Sometimes I will just sit back and observe what my charge is doing. It's so funny to see what games he comes up with!

Now that he is older it is so much easier to have him on a daily schedule and organize more activities with him. I think it's just a matter of getting through the day when they're younger and transitioning into the age where they can have so much fun with a variety of activities.

Now that he is almost 18 months we go for 1.5 hour walks everyday, go to the park, do finger painting, play with a ball, use the water table, etc. I'm hoping to get his parents on board for a library story time once a week as well.

[Anonymous]

I don't know where you are, but in DC they have storytime designed specifically for babies under 1 year old (if you can walk, you get kicked out / graduate to the next level. It's great, and a great way to meet other people for playdates. On one hand, playdates are a little silly at that age, on the other hand, it's a great way for the kid to check out some new toys and for you to maintain your sanity. I know that by the time my baby had hit the 7-9 month range, he was getting super-sick of his toys.