I remember when I brought my first son home from the hospital, one of my big concerns was what to DO with him all day. “I don't know how to entertain a baby!” I exclaimed to Oma as she helped me with his first bath.
Over time I've realized that what babies crave most is to be in the action, up close and personal, experiencing the sights and sounds and smells of the world. They will naturally fall into a general eat/play/sleep rhythm. The trick – in those wakeful moments – is to simply be as hands-on and active as possible.
How to Entertain a Baby: What our Day Looks Like
“If he's fussy indoors,” I advise my new parent friends wondering how to entertain a baby, “take him out. If he's cranky outside, take him in.” A simple change of scenery can do wonders for your growing child. As much as you're probably exhausted from a lack of sleep, you and baby both need to get up off the couch (or out of bed) and stretch your legs to be reminded that there is a great big world beyond the haze of labor and infancy.
First on our docket: shopping. Target has quite a few hands-on displays to keep the big boys entertained, and I let them choose some toys from the dollar section if they help me pick up household essentials. This last trip, I discovered the cutest exclusive Honest Company diaper prints (bows and hearts). They're so sweet, as you can see, I didn't feel the need to cover them up. It's practically summer here in San Diego and with Minion teething up a storm right now, any shirt I put on him gets soaked with drool!
Another summer essential for us are these adorable, easy-to-clean toddler clogs. I get them for both of the boys and they wear them everywhere.
I am obsessed with coordinating outfits from the Target Baby section. They have shorts and shirt sets that come together (so I don't have to spend time hunting down various items) at a super-reasonable price. I've also found that there are several different mix-and-match styles, so I can dress the boys in similar but not identical duds.
My inner Carson Kressley is squealing with glee.
Next up on my list of suggestions for how to entertain a baby: lunch. You need to eat, and you're probably too tired to cook anything all that palatable. Go out and socialize. Grab a banana or an avocado for baby if he or she is old enough for solids.
Here's the Honest Company heart print I mentioned before. I think they're technically intended for girls, but that doesn't stop me from slapping them on little Minion's bum. Overcoming gender norms, one diaper at a time!
Finally, don't forget play time. For parents wondering how to entertain a baby, tummy time is a great option to help those upper-body muscles develop. The big boys like to draw with sidewalk chalk in their outdoor adventure clothes. The dinosaur set that Sidekick is wearing (also from Target, go figure) actually glows in the dark.
Before you know it, dinnertime is here followed by the bedtime routine and hopefully a little sleep. Rest up! Tomorrow's another day that you get to figure out how to entertain a baby from sun-up until sun-down.