[Stardusties]

DD is almost 8 weeks old, and an absolute joy. Sleeps brilliantly, eats fine, the whole nine yards. Thing is I'm at a loss as to what I can do with her during the day. Her awake periods are getting slightly longer and there's only so many trips to the shop or walks around the block I can take.

She doesn't really like to be put down when she's awake. She likes to be moving around or if she's in the bouncer then it has to be rocked/bouncing or she fusses until she's picked back up. I honestly don't mind it so much, I know so many other mums have much more high demand babies. But I wonder if I'm setting her up for bad habits by holding her/carrying her around the whole time she's awake. Will she expect it as she gets older?

So, tell me what do you do to amuse yourself and your baby?

[Lalalacey]

My dd is 8 weeks, her awake time is made up of tummy time, swinging in her swing, sometimes a story, I find she has a little whinge when I first put her down but once distracted she will play quite happily.. My DD all but refuses to nap during the day you are lucky!

[KRT]

I would prop DS up on my knees and we'd do lots of smiling, and gentle touches to his face/hands. We would do similar with him on his tummy on the floor. Baby massage was also good, as was looking at the trees moving in the breeze.

Don't worry about bad habits at this age. She will change so much and so often!

[Corella]

Get a sling, wrap or carrier and wear her, and go about your day. She gets what she needs which is being close to you and you have 2 hands free!

The best of mothers focus on their babies 30% of the time - I was at a mental health information session last month and they were talking about the other 70% being so important to mental health. Play groups, ABA, council mothers groups, coffee with friends, any kind of adventure can fill your time.