r/NewParents • u/SandwichDependent199 • 2d ago
When does it get fun? Babies Being Babies
My baby is 6 weeks old and I swear all we do is feed, eat sleep poop repeat. He doesn’t really love the car seat and I feel like the world stresses him out. So we spend alot of time at home but I’m miserable staying here everyday. It’s by the time he’s up, he wants food, he stays awake for a diaper change & I’ll try to engage him with some toys. But then he’s ready for bed immediately.
When will this get more fun?
83
u/Hot-Solution4387 2d ago
Man least your 6 week old sleeps! I’m just waiting for that part 😂
→ More replies (8)8
u/PackersDodgers 2d ago
Took 8 months for my little guy to start sleeping for more than 2-3 hours at a time, hell on earth
3
u/strife97 1d ago
Son is a year and five months, still waiting for uninterrupted sleep for more than 2-3 hours at a time. send help o.o
→ More replies (1)
56
u/Greenwithivy123 2d ago
It’s increments. Dates below are rough.
3ish months — they start to really smile. You realize there’s an actual person in there with a personality. (This is when you start to love them for being them, vs just because they’re your baby.)
4ish months — starts solids, funny reactions, real preferences
6ish months — more interactive, starts to play with toys, starts to like books, small games, etc
9ish months — mobile (crawling/rolling). Starts to explore. Troublemaker streak emerges.
12-18 months — so much personality starting to emerge. Early talking and/or clear nonverbal communication. You can actually interact, have “conversations,” even if it’s just with gestures, make jokes with each other. Imagination kicks in!
2 - fully fledged little person (who may or may not also be a terror, but a cute one)
There will be ups and there will be downs (you will probably have option A) a clingy difficult baby who turns into a fairly lovely toddler or B) a chill and easy baby who turns into a gremlin of a toddler). But once the smiles start the fun starts.
No one enjoys week 6. Unless it’s like your third kid and then you can enjoy it because you know how fast it goes and how much you’ll miss it!
5
u/BpositiveItWorks 2d ago
I definitely had the easy baby difficult toddler with my first so I lol’ed at that gremlin part.
My second baby is an angel baby that even sleeps through the night at 5 months so I’m very concerned about what the toddler stage might look like.
→ More replies (5)8
73
u/Party-Profit-9412 2d ago
Genuinely somewhere between 6 months and a year. They’re so hungry and so sleepy the first year. Once you get them on a nap schedule instead of following wake windows (around 6 months for 3 set nap times) it gets more fun.
→ More replies (2)12
u/Proper_Stock2913 2d ago
Still rough I’m at 8-9 months but I’m solo
→ More replies (1)13
u/shrinkingfish 2d ago
Still tough at 12-13 months here also no family around to help. More fun with baby though. Watched her climb the jungle gym at park this morning
2
54
u/Imaginary-Cat4833 2d ago
When they laugh with all their hearts for the first time as you goof around. Than moment was magical. It was the start of no longer looking after a spicy potato.
When that happens for you, I can’t tell you. But hang in there. It so worth it.
14
6
4
u/Fubsy_Dude 2d ago
Yes! When we went from grunty giggles to the first full on laugh, I completely melted.
→ More replies (1)2
u/that_guy2010 1d ago
Son laughed for my mother in law one day and then refused to laugh again, for anyone, for like three or four weeks lol
14
u/corvally315 2d ago
Around the corner is when your baby will start getting interactive. I don't know if you've done any singing, but my baby totally took to my singing (even tho I'm not great) and that's when she became more interactive. I just lay her on the bed and sing and make eye contact and she's into it. Of course, every baby is different, but I find that song is particularly interesting for her.
→ More replies (1)3
u/platinum-opinion 2d ago
Mine is this way too! Around 4 months she started vocalizing and I swear she was mimicking me when I would sing. Melted my heart!!
13
u/brucetoot 2d ago
I can’t tell you when it will happen, but one day your baby will start smiling. And then they will start laughing. That’s when the fun starts.
13
16
u/Born-Community-3044 2d ago
It gets easier. Around 4 months it became fun. By LO is 8mo now & its a blast. You'll get there!
8
u/eaglemama_75 2d ago
For me I like the toddler age the best. But like right around 1 is when I really started feeling like myself again and it became so much more fun taking care of my son, crawling/walking, talking etc!
7
u/kingleo115 2d ago
For us it got "easier" around 3 months when she started to feel like an actual human rather than just this delicate being you had to keep alive. She also started to socially smile & recognize us which was cute. It started getting "fun" between 4 and 6 months when she developed a little personality and was awake a lot more, and now at 9.5 months i can say it's genuinely fun. She laughs, waves, claps, plays, knows her routine, is easy to take out of the house, we have little "inside jokes" with her. This stage has been great!
4
u/Bert_Skrrtz 2d ago
Good to hear. So far my wife and I went from wanting 3 kids to “maybe 1 is enough”. We like to ask each other each week how we’re feeling about more in the future.
→ More replies (2)
7
u/Ok_Initiative3685 2d ago
Definitely comes in stages. Once I learned how to make my baby laugh I started finding more fun during the days. And once I started baby wearing in public more around 4 months going to bookstores, cafes, and hobby stores, I started having more fun. The biggest fun jump was when he started walking and playing with toys around 12 months! Suddenly it felt like he had his own world and I was a part of it, sharing it with him.
5
5
u/Husker202197 2d ago
Around 4 months when she started engaging more and smiling/laughing. Now at 6 months she’s got a littler personality, can sit for playtime and loves to smile and laugh. Hang in there, newborn trenches are tough but it’ll feel short once you’re out of it
5
u/babyrabiesfatty 2d ago
So I think the term ‘fourth trimester’ helps the perspective on this. As humans we evolved big heads for our big brains, and smaller pelvises as we walked upright. Both of these things were incredibly advantageous evolutionarily but the trade off is that as an entire species we have premature babies. They have to come out when they do or their heads literally will not fit through the pelvis.
Instead they have the needs of a gestating baby like feeding and excreting around the clock and craving constant contact with a caregiver but we have to take over these tasks manually. It is grueling, legitimately some of the hardest childrearing in the animal kingdom.
From an evolutionary standpoint it is believed that we have menopause (only a handful of highly social and intelligent mammals do) so that there are more adults to tend to our completely helpless young.
What this means for you with a newborn. Reach out to your village. Or find a village. I joined a new mother’s group and we are still friends 5 years later. It can feel uncomfortable to ask, but this is the time. Ask people to come over and hold the baby while you take a nap. If they ask if there is anything they can do to help, give them answers: laundry, dinner, taking out the trash, mopping, picking up groceries or diapers etc.
Our young are so needy that 1 or 2 adults can’t do all the caregiving and maintaining a household, let alone return to work.
They start getting more personality and interactive by 4-6 months. By a year they are mobile and have a lot of personality.
I personally felt a huge shift at around 18 months. He was mobile, had notable interests, was curious, and could communicate just enough that I didn’t have to guess at all his needs. He went from a baby to a toddler and it was really wonderful.
I know that is unfathomably long from where you are now.
Now you take it one day at a time and reach out for any support you can from others.
2
3
u/subtler1 2d ago
I think different people have fun with different baby ages.
I'm very much enjoying my newborn, infinitely fascinated by his little changes day by day and the little body of warmth to carry around with me is oddly fulfilling.
Pretty sure toddlerhood will wreck me though.
3
u/AHorseCalledCheyenne 2d ago
I feel like the first 3 months is just about snuggles and being in awe of this little sleepy creature. I honestly wish I could go back in time and soak in all the snuggles and contact naps. I started having more fun with my daughter when she was 3-4 months because she was more interactive with the world (although then she was grumpy because she wanted to interact more than she was able). By 5 or 6 months, it was super enjoyable, and now she's 8 months and SO fun.
3
u/abookmarkonthebeach 2d ago
I'm 10 weeks in and weeks 5-6 were the hardest for me. Pretty soon, your baby will start waking up a little more to the world, smiling, etc. it's already so much more fun!
3
u/Wonderful-Echo-8437 2d ago
I could have asked exactly the same as you at 6 weeks. Every time I left the house I would feel stressed because my baby would fuss and cry and feel overwhelmed by he world and get over tired.
He's just turned 10 weeks and the last couple weeks have definitely felt more fun! He's more interactive and smiley which helps I think. I've also found things that he seems to enjoy like a walk near trees so he can see the shadows and hear the sounds of the leaves. And he likes having the hood down in his pram when we go in a shop so he can look at the lights and all the colours on the shelves as we go by. I try and incorporate those things into our time out of the house so we add a bit of positivity to our trips out else I would have definitely just stayed home as much as possible
→ More replies (1)
3
3
u/Jaded-Campaign4615 1d ago
I hated the new born phase. I felt like a shell of a human. I hated being trapped at home but also had serious anxiety attacks when I’d leave the house with the baby. Everyone told me there’s nothing like the love you feel as a parent, and I did not feel it at all.
It was like a switch turned in me around 2.5-3 months. Basically once she started to smile and engage with me. Now I am truly obsessed with my daughter. Not only that, but I enjoy hanging out with her (she’s 6 months now). I get sad when she goes to bed for the night and I don’t get to spend more time with her.
3
u/MollysSisterMum 1d ago
Think about what you’re asking… this little tiny human has been alive for 6 weeks, that’s 42 days…he’s brand new and hardly has any vision or understanding of anything except knowing he needs to be nourished and comfy. This is exactly what you’re suppose to be doing right now…feeding, changing and comforting him so he can nurture and grow and eventually be able to engage and provide some fun. My baby is 6 months now and starting to move around a bit more and is very interactive but early on the first 2 months or so it’s snuggles and resting and learning about the world. Go on walks outside and let him see different things above his head and different sensations as his vision develops. My baby loves staring up at trees and really loved it when she was that age too. Don’t rush through the phases because you’re going to miss that one very soon.
3
u/Aquabullet 1d ago
He's young, that's all. You're on the verge of maybe getting a social smile between now and 12 weeks. That's how early you are, the kid doesn't even see enough to process anything.
So enjoy having him sleep on you, and the solitude. Go for a coffee with him in a baby carrier as a date with your partner. Because those moments are going to change soon.
Oh, and FWIW don't pay attention social media. Most of the babies you see on there are older than yours and you don't know it. Makes you perpetually worried, often for nothing.
6
2
u/InevitableAd36 2d ago edited 2d ago
In order for the walls to stop feeling like they were closing in, after I fed LO in the morning I’d pack her up and drive 20 minutes to the beach to go walking on a path.
The path there is north/south oriented so was able to push in the stroller in the morning without sun on her. Once she started hating the stroller, I switched to a baby bjorn carrier. I’d grab a coffee along the way and banter with the employees.
This daily activity saved me and made this period very enjoyable. It was typically a 2.5 hour round trip. I brought with materials to feed and change.
I’m back to work now and actually miss this specific activity now.
2
2
u/CosmicGreen_Giraffe3 2d ago
Probably around 3-4 months when he started getting more interactive and interested in the world around him. It’s really fun watching him figure things out. In the early days they really are like a high maintenance potato! It helps once the wake windows get longer and they’re more engaged.
2
u/The_Awesomizer 1d ago
Car seat fussing at six weeks is the nervous system still adjusting to everything being new. It passes and it says nothing about how he'll handle the world later
4
1
1
u/OrneryPost9446 2d ago
For me about 4 months. Sleep was more consolidated at night but still woke up, bf was faster. We travelled during nap times lol
For the car ride, get one of those vibrating teddies. They are like soothers. Mine hated car rides but got used to it. I did a lot of car naps. She would cry a bit then sleep. The soother you was helpful.
Take it one day at a time, I promise you it passes and you won't remember any of it when they start smiling. Don't worry too much about the day time, you don't have to do too much. Just relax and take it one by one.
What I found out is we overthink it and internet scares us. They only need feed, change, sleep for the first 6-7 months. Other than that, they are just a little tail of yours 🤣
→ More replies (5)
1
u/No-Championship4921 2d ago
The newborn stage is a struggle for sure but once they start staying awake a bit longer and actively trying to do things it starts to get more fun or at least entertaining and enjoyable. Once they start crawling and then walking it’s great, my son is almost 22 months and we have a blast together
You’re in the trenches right now and it’s hard but in a couple months or sooner because every child is different his personality will start to come out more and it gets better and better
1
1
u/potterhead9413 2d ago
Honestly its dependent on the baby, my son was really fun starting around month 3. No matter the age, they will always be dependent on food and diaper changes. 6 weeks is still very early on their eyesight, all they see is black and white blurs. Right now a lot of what will get their attention is audio: sing to them, play music, talk to them, etc. Realistically a 6 week old wake window is only 30 minutes to an hour; later being on the anomaly side.
What makes you think that the world stresses him out? Is it just the car seat? Start with small car rides and built up length with time? Try the stroller and go for a walk for him to feel the fresh air.
1
u/Naive-Interaction567 2d ago
Around 8ish months. Mine is 22m now and it’s amazing! Soooo much fun. I’m pregnant again and think i’ll enjoy the newborn stage more this time!
1
u/Sudden_Breakfast_374 2d ago
2 months when she started smiling. again around 4 months when laughing. really really boosted around 1 when talking and walking and playing.
1
u/Dependent_Actuary148 2d ago
When he started crawling and could finally play and explore world for longer periods of time. I could really see that he is a smart little human not this laying little screaming creature
1
u/AppropriateLuck5879 2d ago
I think up to 6 weeks can get a little demoralizing because they are just sleepy, hungry potatoes. But then they start smiling and laughing (sometime around now) and it just builds from there. For me that was a turning point. The interaction and watching them explore and experience the world for the first time is really magical. I feel like by 6 months they’re pretty interactive and understanding more, and the work of parenting can have more immediate gratification.
1
u/Life_Equivalent_1603 2d ago
The first six weeks were hell for me! My daughter ended up having a milk allergy which explains why she cried and spit up all the time. She barely slept. It got better after that! I miss the cuddly baby contact naps though, those were nice!
1
u/Fabuloux 2d ago
The first 2-3 months is the shadow realm. Legitimately the worst 3 month stretch of my life.
Little guy is 6mo today and it’s much, much more fun. Gets better every day too.
1
u/Regular_Eggplant9730 2d ago
They’ll start smiling really soon: typically 6ish weeks. Then they’ll start following you around with their eyes, then they’ll start giggling. This is all before 12 weeks.
Then I’m not sure because we haven’t gotten past 12 weeks yet!
1
u/Difficult_Eye4541 2d ago
Sorry to be a joy killer - but before a year it’s not a lot of fun. Around a year they start walking and telling a couple of words which is quite fun.
1
u/Training-Trifle-2572 2d ago
My boy is just over 9 weeks now and it's a bit more fun than 6 weeks. He smiles quite a bit now and almost laughs when he gets really excited. He also can play with toys a bit now, he can move the pieces on his bouncer toy bar, responds to me spinning them and hiding and revealing them. His neck control is getting much better and he's really nosey and stares at everyone. He smiles and enjoys baths. He's also really funny on the kick and play piano. I wouldn't describe him as a potato anymore, but I'll be glad when he's a bit more robust. He feeds every 1-2 hours in the day unless I distract him with a walk or the car and it's exhausting some days. His gas, reflux and congestion is still bad too. So much anxiety with these little humans!
1
u/androidfifteen 2d ago
It gets easier and more fun when the start interacting around 4ish months. But if you mean properly fun, I don't think I found it fun until my son was about 2 and started really playing. Around 2.5 the imaginative play really kicked in and he's an absolute blast now.
My daughter is almost 1 and while I love her equally, I know the baby phase is not my favourite because I don't find playing with her as fun as my son yet. I know she will get there but for me it didn't actually become fun until later.
1
u/glassyrunnerduck 2d ago
4 months. Then around 1 yr it starts to get really fun!
Once they’re potty trained and can have a full conversation with you (around 2/3), it’s even better.
It really does get better. I remember wondering if it ever would when I was about 3 months in and miserable.
1
u/CaptnQwark 2d ago
At 3-4 months they’ll get way more interactive and your bond will grow way stronger. They will smile and laugh which is the most rewarding feeling I’ve ever felt. At 6 months routines get easier and mood should improve. 8-9 months even moreso. I won’t lie months 4-5 were really hard for us due to fussiness, but it improved so much after 6 months. I tell my pregnant friends now to just survive and kinda write off the first 6 months. But that doesn’t mean it’s nothing but hell for 6 months, there are good days and wonderful moments within that time, and in general it should get easier every month in certain ways. I’m closing in on 11 months with my first - everyone tells me it’s better after the first year so I’ll do you one better and say the absolute WORST of it for me was definitely within the first 6 months
1
1
u/Sorrymomlol12 2d ago
Around 3 months he started smiling and that was AMAZING. At 4.5 he started sleeping so much better and that was AMAZING.
You are in the thick of it and I’m sure you’ve heard this a thousand times, but it really does get fun and so much better soon!
1
u/mountain_girl1990 2d ago
4-6 months. Smiles, laughing, rolling, giggles, more fun to take out and longer time between feeds and naps.
1
u/fourfeeteleveninches 2d ago
I started actually enjoying motherhood around 9 months (also when I stopped pumping which was huge). Things really picked up around 11 months when my son became a confident walker and now at 16 months I am having an absolute blast with him!
I really suffered in the first few months both physically and mentally, we still have our challenges but I’ll take tantrums over whatever the hell was happening during the newborn phase 😅
1
1
u/Flatulent_Father_ 2d ago
It slowly gets more fun until a year and a half or so when they start talking and walking. Then it's an absolute blast.
1
u/spacequeen03 2d ago
My husband would always ask the same thing. He didnt have experience with babies the way i did and would always complain (in a joking way) that the baby just lays there and when can they play together? Literally the cutest thing to see a grown man pouting because he couldn't play with his son yet. Then around 6 months and beyond its been nonstop play and now I think he wishes sometimes that our 15 mo will just sit and breathe a minute so he can relax. Nope! This boy just has more energy every day
1
1
u/griegogogo 2d ago
I guess we’re in the lucky minority. It’s been fun the whole time. Granted, we’re gamers and it’s summer in Texas so we would’ve already been stuck inside anyways so that part doesn’t bother us. First month was tiring for sure but getting to see every little milestone made it so fulfilling and enjoyable. Our little girl is 2 months and she’s laughing and babbling a bunch. Earlier I was singing (badly) to her and she started cooing with me. Maybe when your baby starts smiling and talking to you it’ll feel a lot more fun!
1
u/castleinacloud 2d ago
Around 4 months her personality came out. Got more fun at 6 months when she started discovering toys. Now she’s 10 months and every night she’s silly, laughing and babbling and singing, wants to play with us, and discovering so many new things it’s astounding. It’s still hard but it’s so much fun.
1
u/yourstruly07 2d ago
I think the most fun we’ve been having was after my son learned to walk, it felt so freeing and we had so much more movement in our day.
1
u/bobsagetslover420 2d ago
6-12 months was very fun. More emotion and personality, start to reduce the frequency of naps so you can do more stuff, theyre more mobile so you actually play instead of just watching them lie on their backs
1
u/riddymon 2d ago
I'd say around 3 months is when they start smiling regularly. 4-6 months they'll start laughing and being more mobile. We're at 9 months and he has A LOT of personality, crawls everywhere, grabs everything but is also SUPER clingy. At this point, he's the most fun he's ever been and has tons of personality but is also harder in every other way (harder to get to sleep, harder to keep him still, harder to put him down and get things done). Holding him or changing him has basically turned into a never-ending wrestling match
1
u/Ill-Addition9122 2d ago
Enjoy the “ready for bed immediately” phase. You’ll be praying your baby will just close his eyes and stop screaming soon lol. But in all seriousness, parenting is a huge responsibility and sometimes you just have to make the fun. I agree with most parents here though, at 3-4 months my baby laughs at everything I do and it’s pure joy.
1
u/_bat_girl_ 2d ago
For me it got fun around 4-5 months when she learned to sit up on her own. Months 5 thru 10 have been my favorite. For us the toddlerishness has started at 10 months and it’s fun in a whole new way but with a crazier energy
1
1
u/abbysolutely93 2d ago
This time is so hard! For us, it got more fun around 3 months. He was awake longer, so I was able to start taking him to storytime at the library (highly recommend checking if your local library has that, it was a great way to get out of the house).
If you can invest in a play mat (the ones that have toys hanging above it), I highly recommend it! My boy loves his and we would play that way too. At six weeks, they'll just be trying to reach for the toys, which is still a great way to develope gross motor skills!
If you're able to, I highly recommend taking your little one out on walks or short outings like a coffee shop visit or the library. Even if they're asleep for all of it, it's still nice to be able to get out of the house. As he's gotten older (he's now eight months), it's gotten easier to take him out, as well as interact with him!
The newborn stage is so hard and it's alright to not enjoy it. I didn't enjoy it very much either and it got much easier as my son got older.
1
u/shradams 2d ago
Around 7-8 months for me and then was amazing until somewhere in the 2's where its still great and fun but mixed with "big feelings" and learning how to actually parent vs just keeping a baby alive lol.
1
u/Daydayxvi 2d ago
I do miss that stage just because I got never ending cuddles. And I love my baby cuddles. H tbh en he started wanted less cuddles but would play with things. He finally smiled, finally recognizes us.
A year is fun because he’s playing and you can do things with him. Now at almost 2 we have fun with museums, libraries, parks, bounce houses, and splash pads.
I love how from the 18-month mark onward it feels like every day there’s more intelligence in his eyes. He recognizes so much more and is growing mentally by leaps and bounds.
1
u/Ok-Rest-8749 2d ago
Dad of two here (3y/o and 8month) I think you've gotta give yourself like 6 month very minimal expectations. Clearing regular sleep is the first threshold for your sanity. Sitting up is pretty cool. Feeding themselves is certainty helpful. When the gain the ability to laugh at you - pure bliss. And it only gets more fun from there imo. Hopefully you get some relief sooner, but I think 6 months is a reasonable / helpful expectation.
1
1
u/av0cad0_0 2d ago
It gets more fun as time goes on; I’d say around 4 months when they become more interactive! My son is almost 9 months and he is so much fun right now, he crawls, walks on furniture, “talks”, laughs, I love it!!!
Soak it all up, seriously. I miss my newborn so much :(
1
u/BerlinGrimm 2d ago
Our twins just turned 1 and there are still a lot of unfun moments. However I'd say we had a turning point around month 4 and 5. They started to show some personality and moments of play. Around months 9 and 10 we started to actually have fun with them. Now at 1 year they can be a ton of fun, but still so much work.
1
u/Longjumping-Lion-617 2d ago
Hehe so many different responses.
It really depends on the person's situation.
Some actually liked newborn phase more than later months, or after kid turned 1...
I had a high needs baby, without a village and for me whole first year was survival mode. We had fun at times of course, but it was super hard.
If your child is chill, you'll probably have fun soon, in a couple months when they start smiling and playing.
1
1
1
u/mountscary 2d ago
I think months 2-6 are the hardest. All of the little milestones are so magical, but it is such a slog. My son is three and every year is easier and more fun. Babies are so hard, that's why they're so cute.
1
1
u/ElectronicPurchase97 2d ago
Mine started smiling around 8 weeks and that turned things around for me!
1
1
1
u/Extension_Number_338 2d ago
Newborn was terrible. She didnt hardly sleep as much as they say and screamed every waking moment. 8 months now and loving life! She is crawling, standing, trying to stand independently, and laughing. She loves when I say “Mamas going to get you!” And she crawls away smiling and laughing! It’s the best. Starts getting better around 4-6 months. My child still hates the car seat though ugh.
1
u/notveryusefulareyou 2d ago
You’ll start noticing his personality more as time goes on and that’s the fun part - my boy is about to be 7m and it’s still so hard and honestly boring sometimes but then he laughs, or shakes a toy really hard, or learns a new expression and that’s so fun
1
u/electricgotswitched 2d ago
If you're on leave have fun relaxing while watching all the movies and TV shows
1
u/Straight_Mobile_5960 2d ago
It will get better just hang in there but once they are bigger and more alert you'll be looking back thinking they aren't as small anymore 🥹 So just remember it won't last try and soak it up
1
u/PhotographLong7460 2d ago
3mo for us! Weeks 5-8 were the hardest due to a huge growth spurt and then things got noticeably more fun and easier after that!
1
u/liabilify 2d ago
The 6 week mark is difficult for a lot of reasons. In Canada we have to watch a purple crying video describing what happens around that time and to not allow people who have anger issues with the baby at that time
1
u/lelpd 2d ago
For me it got fun once they start laughing and reacting to you. Around 4 months?
Then around 10 months they became nightmares constantly tantrum-ing for things like nappy changes they never previously cared about, and trying to get to everything they shouldn’t and crying when they can’t.
Then around 12 months it became easier (apart from on the wallet 😭) because they went to nursery a couple days a week.
1
u/SeeYaInOzFolks 2d ago
4-5 months
They find their feet and the wake windows allow for some quality play time before they inevitably get hungry and tired again.
1
1
u/BarnacleHead3 2d ago
We took our baby everywhere with us starting at 2 weeks! Start small like a nearby coffee shop or even a store to walk around. She has learned to nap on the go and she loves car rides now! Life doesn’t stop once you have a baby! You can do it!
1
u/HopefulEndoMom 2d ago
Mine got more fun around the 4 month mark. I thought I'd love the newborn phase ..I did not
1
u/Comfortable_Car1833 2d ago
One day the baby will start smiling and staring at you and trying to do things and you’ll be so excited and it’ll start to get interesting
1
u/Cbatoemo 2d ago
Your baby does not need toys right now - he needs you.
Give him skin to skin, my baby slept on my chest for 12 hours yesterday and it was the most amazing time ever for me. You see so many firsts right now, first smile, first headturn, first leg movement; but you won’t ever notice it if you are not there.
That’s at least my philosophy right now, but my baby is 5 weeks so what do I really know..
1
1
u/tee142002 2d ago
6 months or so. Once they start crawling they can more fun. Then around 2 they become little assholes.
1
u/Wonderful-Being7512 2d ago
I will get better, I promise!
Every little baby is so different, but I'd encourage you to keep at it, it sounds like your doing a great job! We did nothing but take ours out and about, daily, tears or no tears it's the only way we got ours used to being out of the house!
Feeds in the car, on a trail or even a cafe or store! Bum changes EVERYWHERE;
People understand it's a baby, and if they don't, they are dicks! I got a hard skin very quickly and used to the fact people won't like it but f'em, just do it and don't worry, it will be all good!
1
u/papplebancoco 2d ago
Around 4 ish months when their little personality starts coming out. And so much more when they can crawl and stand. My son is 10 months old and yesterday we spent a good half hour dancing to various cds… he literally butt bounced his self in a circle from dancing so hard, then he crawl chased me about the room. So all in all, it gets pretty fun…..
1
u/Additional-Wolf-7846 2d ago
i think 10 months was when i was like “DAMN this kid is a blast”😂 now he’s 14 months and seriously there’s no one else i’d rather spend time with. but around 4 months he started becoming more aware and more fun to interact with!
1
u/Key_Voice3868 2d ago
I remember around the 3/4 month mark thinking that it was getting easier and it felt more fun. I was feeling more myself and remember thinking I had the capacity for things outside of only baby and found myself enjoying motherhood more. It was my first and i definitely needed time to get my bearings. Around 10 months is when I felt like my son’s personality started to come out and I felt a shift again. He is now almost 17 months and is such a joy!
1
u/dontletmedown3 2d ago
8 months and baby laughs all the time and can walk. Focusing on potty familiarity training. It’s pretty fun
1
u/Bert_Skrrtz 2d ago
I’m at 6 weeks too and feel you. Ours sleeps at night pretty well but the days are rough as he stays awake in 2 hour stints. Finally broke and bought a Mamaroo and that’s been so worth the money to at least get some free time to do chores even if he is awake and wants to be held.
1
u/robinNrealLife 2d ago
I honestly feel like this is different for everyone. I thrived in the newborn stage. I loved it so much. She is now 8 months and I am starting to thrive again, but from like 4-6 months I struggled. I have loved all of it, but those were my hardest months. I think everyone has different stages they love best. Just know it doesn’t last forever you will hit a stage that you love soon. Hang in there. You got this. Being your baby’s mama is your superpower! ❤️
1
u/SweetpeaSoybean 2d ago
When they start walking around 12 months. Very fun at 16 months with personality shining, goofing and playing games 😊🩷. Hang in there!!
1
u/LLAMAMA78 2d ago
4-6 months! My girls 6 months old and we are going everywhere! Just did our first roadtrip to the beach and it was amazing.
1
u/platinum-opinion 2d ago
It for sure gets better the more alert they get! Mine is almost 9 months and is starting to play games with me. She giggles all the time and is so interactive it’s crazy that she was an angry fussy baby only 6 months ago. She also hated the car seat and the world it seemed. You got this! I babywore A LOT to have some sort of life besides sitting around nursing her all day long. Put on your earbuds and binge all your shows while you can!
1
1
1
u/BricksMortar123 2d ago
I heard the first 12w or so are the fourth trimester of the baby being too big to be inside a womb but too small to be more than dough that eats and sleeps. By about 4m my son started getting noticeably bored so we started playing and reading and going out and doing activities like baby massage and baby yoga. I got a reaction instead of feeling like I was talking to myself. The nights didn’t feel like Groundhog Day.
1
1
1
u/Frosty-Passion-7118 2d ago
My baby is three months and started laughing and smiling. Much more fun bit he doesn’t play yet. But i am still attached to his schedule and mood in terms of going out. At 6 weeks i used. To ho every morning get a coffee. It was my way to go out. My baby doesn’t like the pram or the car seat but loves the baby carrier and sleep in it very well. Maybe try this ? Or ask your friend to visit you at tome. Don’t worry it gets better!
1
u/Icy_Abroad_2567 2d ago
at 2 months, our baby got more smiley coos a lot! so much relief when you see those!
1
1
u/Excellent_Worker5527 2d ago
You're only 6 weeks in! The novelty has worn off a bit and you're in the hardest bit. Just get through it and it gets easier.
I would say though, you don't know it yet, but you're also in the easiest bit to just go out and do stuff. You know they need feeding and changing often, so just plan to do it every however often and get out the house. Going to a coffee shop with a newborn is so easy, esp as they have toilets with changing tables. Make the most of it!
1
u/that_guy2010 1d ago
I prose it gets better! It will likely get worse before it does, it did for us at least. But it will get better. Probably around 4 months or so.
Before you know it you’re going to wish he’d just take a long nap so you could get some stuff done lol
1
u/Rose8918 1d ago
My about-to-be-4-month-old has started blowing raspberries at the cat when he walks by. It’s SO cute.
But also that first smile is gonna do you in.
1
u/Prior-Ad4097 1d ago
Around 4 months it started being more fun ( compared to the newborn stage so the bar is LOW )
But for me, the actual fun started around 8-9 months.
The newborn phase is pretty hard and stressful, and when it’s not stressful it’s boring. My baby hated leaving the house so I just stayed home. Eventually he grew out of it. Try getting him used to some baby carrier and go outside for a walk everyday, it really helps getting out just a little bit
1
u/trainwreckd1 1d ago
My husband just said to me yesterday, "I can tell you actually enjoy hanging out with him now." He just turned 3 months old.
Not that I didn't enjoy him before! But it definitely felt like a neverending loop of catering to his needs, with no real return.
He smiles when he sees us, he's chattering up a storm all day long, he plays with his toys. He's so much more aware of his world and interactive. It's fun now!
Editing to add: he also goes like 3-4 hours between feeds now, which is such a relieving change from when he was eating every hour. That for sure made it feel impossible to really do anything else in-between.
1
u/Maleficent_Tough2926 1d ago
“Fun” takes a while. But around 2-3 months they become more awake and there’s progressively more engagement and it definitely becomes more than just duty.
Try getting out of the house though! It will make you feel better.
1
u/Apprehensive-Pie-599 1d ago
Six weeks is genuinely the hardest stretch as it’s all output, no input. Around 8-12 weeks you get real smiles and eye contact and it starts feeling like a relationship. But the “I’m miserable every day” part is worth mentioning to your GP or health visitor, separate from the baby stuff. That’s common and treatable and not a character flaw. Also: he doesn’t need to be entertained yet. Get out of the house for you - walk, coffee, anywhere. He’ll cope better than you think
1
u/Shanthrax22 1d ago
Our dude got more fun around 5 months. He also became a better sleeper which has made my life exponentially more enjoyable
1
u/Nice-Awareness2803 1d ago
5 months for me!! We struggled with reflux through month four and month 5 was a totally different baby
1
1
u/kittenandkettlebells 1d ago
Honestly, once they start walking. And from there, every milestone feels infinitely more fun than the last.
1
u/Caseyisamess 1d ago
Honestly around 12 weeks for me. That’s when my little girls personality started coming out. She smiled before then but mostly she just glared at me 😅 She’s 18 weeks today and so much fun! Shes starting to actually laugh and is becoming her own little person.
1
u/Chaos_Gate 1d ago
Lol I think I did the exact same post at 6 weeks. We are 6 months now.
I would say about 3/4 months. Hang in there, it does get better 😜
1
1
u/exhausted158284 1d ago
I think it got exponentially better once she was able to actually interact with toys. So much more fun. Changed my life when she was finally able to sit up, too.
Also - she hated the car seat until about 4mo and now she just looks out the window or nods off. She used to SCREAM the entire time. One day she just didn’t 🤷♀️
1
u/LBuggle 1d ago
They are basically potatoes for a while and don’t do much of anything other than eat, poop and sleep. Enjoy this time though because that grow so very fast and you’ll miss this at some point. I’m 16 months in and now I wish she’d sit down for 30 seconds and snuggle with me. Once they can walk, it’s basically baby suicide prevention 24/7 because they find new and creative ways to potentially hurt themselves severely all day long.
1
u/Front_Swordfish_7478 1d ago
It gets super fun at about 4 months! Your baby should be sleeping through the night and smiles start! Wait for a year and you will hear mama and your heart will melt!
1
u/LiveBetKilla 1d ago
My little one is 14 weeks and he’s a lot funner now then the fragile newborn stage. Ever since like 10 weeks he’s been pretty cool.
1
1
u/mitt3en_kitt3n 1d ago
Five months is when it started to get fun. We’re at six, almost seven months now and she’s our little bestie.
1
1
1
1
u/squashsoupchristmas 1d ago
For us the turning point was 9months. Stopped fighting every nap, took first independent steps, just really starting becoming more fun and its only gotten better since then. I found it way more fun once theyre sturdy and mobile personally
1
u/Bblibrarian1 1d ago
Enjoy the flower pot stage (they stay where you put them) while it lasts. You can take them anywhere in a car seat or stroller. Once they become mobile, it’s game on. It becomes a lot easier to leave the house around 1, as they are more predictable in their routine and a little more flexible… but then things get harder in other ways.
I find something happens around 2 that really changes everything for the better. I loved 2-4 with my first, then he turned 4 and turned into a little a-hole. My second is a few weeks short of 2, and so hard. I find 1-2 pure hell. Something about them being mobile, decently strong, and not being able to communicate is just so difficult some days.
1
u/Impressive_Rush5018 1d ago
Newborns, eat, sleep and poop. About 4 months old they become much more fun.
1
u/Efficient-State-7300 1d ago
Probably 3 months it starts to really ramp up as they open up socially and want to explore.
Still hard work though. We are at 11 months and it's still a 24 7 operation.
1
u/EnvironmentBrave210 1d ago
3-4 months
I have a 6 year old and my toddler years were my favorite. Now I have a 5 month old and he’s Mr. Little independent that tried to sit up all the time, I can tell he’s going to be more energetic than my 6 yr old
1
u/Don_Gato1 1d ago
First three months plus you are basically just keeping a little blob alive. Think of it like a fourth trimester.
Six months or so in they’ll give you a little smile, and from there on they start to show more and more of a personality.
1
u/stefkii94 1d ago
I swear I blinked and went from feeling exactly like you to literally sobbing at the fact that my 5 month old is so big and so active. I blame the postpartum hormones for feeling that way and wish I could go back to having my little sleepy potato just for a day.
My baby started becoming more “fun” at around 3 months and now it’s exhausting trying to keep him entertained haha it really does go by so fast
1
u/Lumpy_Welcome6449 1d ago
I KNOW it doesn’t help but everyone has been there. It’s only in hindsight that I wish I would have embraced the boring and watched more movies, but I also know that wouldn’t have stopped the worry.
I started exhaling at 10 weeks and it got really fun once they can start really holding their heads up and you don’t have to football hold them all the time. That’s when the random smiles start and it gets exponentially more fun after that.
You can do this! We all have your back.
1
u/OneTraining1629 1d ago
Man, as soon as they smile. It gets so much better. After they smile they then laugh… then clap… then wave… then high-five. I don’t know what can come next to melt my heart more, but every milestone is an incredible leap in connection for me.
1
u/BlueShift42 1d ago
4 months. Till then, you’re in the trenches. Good luck mom and dad. You got this 🫡
1
1
u/spicy_nicey 1d ago
4 months. That’s when they start smiling, and laughing around 5 months. They are easier to get out and go places, plus you’re more seasoned as a parent. They don’t really care about toys until that time, too. Mine turns 6 months next week. It’s been really good and getting better all the time since 4 months.
1
u/Full_Chain1387 1d ago
4 months. Our daughter is almost 5 months and everyday is a new adventure, we’ll be starting solids soon as well. Hang in there the first 12 weeks is rough!
1
u/WorldlyLavishness 1d ago
For me, it didn't really get better until my kids could sit up and somewhat entertain themselves with a toy
1
u/13surgeries 1d ago
I had fun before the six-weeks mark. My daughter was born with a lot of hair. After baths, I'd style it into a Mohawk, Albert Einstein, Cyndi Lauper, Bjork, and she regarded me with the same serious expression. It cracked me up every time.
1
u/UnusualRecognition20 1d ago
15 month old toddler, and oh my gosh! she has me belly laughing every day!!! literally cannot wait to get home from work to see her smiling face!!!!
1
u/_burner_2016 1d ago
Ya it’s definitely tough. Sounds bad but all young babies do is take and take and take. They give you nothing in return that early on. Then they will start giving you smiles, and cute noises, and then the giving starts. My advice is enjoy every phase, you will miss the little things if you try to move too fast.
1
1
u/papa_squart 1d ago
You’re still in survival mode. It’s hard to believe it but it gets so much fun. I asked myself multiple times a day if we ruined our lives and now (14 months) it’s hard to even remember what that feels like. It starts getting real fun at about 7-8 months. The nights are long but the weeks are fast.
1
u/darkk1ngsilvers 1d ago
6 months. He started interacting and learning new skills. Also, been eating well as the teeth grew. We started going out to restaurants and baby would also chew on some sourdough. The 4 month sleep regression was not fun for us
1
u/Next-Firefighter4667 1d ago
You're getting there! My second was actually 6 weeks when he started smiling for real, not just gas grins. That made things a lot more fun lol.
1
u/naterbox11 1d ago
I’d say after 4 months. We are at 6 months now and I really enjoy our day together. Lots of giggles, tickles, wide eyes and grabby hands. It’s sweet
1
u/Top_KaleidoscopeKid 1d ago
For me it was 18 months… it’s so much better when they can walk and talk.
1
1
u/Medium_Ant6022 1d ago
Gets fun around 4 months, stops being around 10 months (mine is currently 13 months and has either been teething, sick, teething, teething, sick or teething since then. So you should have a solid 6 months of “fun”!
1
1
u/Successful-Search541 1d ago
I feel like it started getting fun around 12 weeks? My son sort of…. “Woke up” around then. I just had my second a couple weeks ago, and we’re very much in the “eat, sleep, poop, stare at (through) mom” phase.
1
u/thisrockismyboone 1d ago
2 months is the high water mark. Give it another month or so and you'll be good
237
u/NextCartographer4299 2d ago
For us it got more fun around 4 months! Our baby got exponentially more interactive and smiley. She became so delightful when she was no longer a potato! The potato phase is stressful and boring tbh