I just started a new nanny position with a 9 week old baby boy. My previous position was for 4 boys...ages 4, 6, and 8 year old twins...so this job is quite a bit different! I am really excited and he is such a sweet baby, but I am not sure what kind of activities I can do with him during our days together! I am new to the state (Carolina)...I moved here for this job so I am not familiar with the area and what it may offer for infants (play groups for example). I want to do things that will stimulate him and get us both out of the house once in a while...just wondering if there are any other infant nannies out there that have any suggestions for me! Thank you! :)
Saturday
Suggestions for Baby Outings, Please!
I just started a new nanny position with a 9 week old baby boy. My previous position was for 4 boys...ages 4, 6, and 8 year old twins...so this job is quite a bit different! I am really excited and he is such a sweet baby, but I am not sure what kind of activities I can do with him during our days together! I am new to the state (Carolina)...I moved here for this job so I am not familiar with the area and what it may offer for infants (play groups for example). I want to do things that will stimulate him and get us both out of the house once in a while...just wondering if there are any other infant nannies out there that have any suggestions for me! Thank you! :)
some great suggestions: Library classes and other classes that on based on the childs' age- gym and music classes.
ReplyDeleteThe baby may be a little young now- as he grows- find out his interest, what he is into. If not, talk to parents on what they may want him exposed too.
Congrats and whats great about a young baby- you have a great opportunity to watch him grow and you will be best longtime friends. If you are not loving that baby already. LOL!!
I do not think a lot of thought needs to be put into planning daily outings for a baby this young. He is very young and probably wouldn't know the difference between a trip to the zoo or library.
ReplyDeleteI do feel, however that this baby should be taken on outings for your sake and his. Perhaps stroller walks at the park would work, but I do not think the library is a good idea since he may cry and libraries are supposed to be quiet. LOL. Maybe the zoo..but again, this baby is quite young to know the difference between an elephant and a giraffe. You can try different parks, maybe he would like to sit in his stroller on on your lap and just see the colors and listen to the sounds. I would make these trips brief however since young babies do not like too much stimulation.
Best of luck to you!
Seconding stroller walks, and also most libraries have a storytime designated specifically for babies under 1. I've been taking my younger charge to library storytimes since she was about 4 weeks old, and she's always enjoyed it. It's a great way to meet moms and other nannies with similarly-aged babies, so you can talk about developmental stuff and get to know future playmates in your area.
ReplyDeleteI would take him for walks, as fresh air is so beneficial for children.
ReplyDeleteAs the baby grows, I would introduce the library, music and movement classes. If the parents are comfortable, I would even think about swimming lessons once he turns 6-9 months old.
I work with a 5 month old baby boy, I have taken him for walks and that is about it. When he gets to be 6 months I will take him to the library story time. Are you in North Carolina? I am too. :-D
ReplyDeleteI agree that just going on walks is the best outing for a baby this age. I would prefer walking him in a carrier rather than a stroller, because it makes it easier to talk/sing to him. Also agreeing that library story times will be great as winter approaches (and he's a little older). Also, IMO babies are never too young to enjoy music, so you could look for free children's concerts or join a Music Together (or similar) class. Not sure where exactly you are, but see if there's a mother's club in your area, as they often put together play groups, including for infants.
ReplyDeleteBabies at this age don't need group stimulation. In fact, too much stimulation will make him either cry, or shut down and go to sleep. But, if you feel like you want to do something outside of the home once a week, Gymboree classes are age appropriate and will focus on developmental milestones like tummy time, and visual and auditory development. That's more appropriate for baby than story times, etc. Other than stroller rides and Gymboree I don't suggest any other outside activities at this age. You might feel like you need to get out, but he doesn't need to at this age.
ReplyDeleteAt home, be careful not to have baby on his back or either side too much or for too long because his head can become misshapen. Short periods of tummy time, flat on his back with objects next to and above him, talking to him face to face, sitting him in his bouncy seat and holding toys in front of him, holding him sitting on your lap are all good. Also, focus on getting into a consistent eating and sleeping rhythm.
Talk to him and play music (rather than TV). Talking to babies from the beginning is very important. Explain what you're doing while changing his diaper, feeding him, etc., and label objects. For example: "You have a wet diaper, so we have to put a clean one on you." Or "Oh, are you crying because you're hungry? Okay, I'm warming your bottle right now so you can eat." Or "Do you see Cocoa the dog? Her fur is brown." Or "Look at your tiny toes! This little piggy went to market...") You get the message. And as baby responds back by cooing, have the exchange with him. But also have times of quiet, with music in the background.
Get a baby book and learn developmental milestones. Help baby meet those milestones as he grows. The things I suggest above encourage gross motor, social, language, visual and auditory development. You'll have plenty of time to go on outings. For now help him to find his rhythm, adjust to being in the world outside of the womb, and learn to trust the adults who take care him and keep him safe.
In my opinion, it is such a pleasure to watch babies as they learn and grow, become more mobile and verbal, and develop their personalities. For now, just get to know your charge and enjoy him.
Pretty slim pickings for this age!
ReplyDeleteI agree with the others about walks.
I have taken 4 of "my" past babies to pre-school swims. I started them all at 12 weeks. You can teach them to float on their backs at this age because they are very relaxed in the water, and are not scared of it. My little "S" is 19 months now, and swims unassisted to the pool wall from 5 feet away!
Always check it out with the Parents first.....so can be wierd or over protective of it.
You can also do the baby gym, and let him roll around on the mats and observe other children playing.
Have fun!
whoops! **SOME can be wierd......**
ReplyDeleteSome Peds. recommend waiting until six months old for classes when the immune system is better able to handle exposure to colds etc. Swimming classes are ok because they aren't picking up each others shaky eggs etc.
ReplyDeleteDo some research on offerings in your area. Gymboree, and Music Together, are everywhere. Library children's rooms have a variety of activities. Many Ys, and other organizations have classes for babies and toddlers.
In the mean time while he is so young, go to a park and play on a blanket on the grass. Go in the playground and sit and hold him on your lap. They love to watch "big" kids!
I wouldn't bring a young infant into a public library. There is a high chance he won't understand anything and may ruin it for all the other patrons. Outdoor activities such as park outings are best until he gets older. ☺☻
ReplyDeleteI must say I'm very impressed with some of these comments but most notably, Wow's. Thank you for a very insightful post, I really enjoyed reading yours!
ReplyDeletemom_of_one...
ReplyDeleteThank you very much for the compliment! Many people don't know what to do with young infants, so I thought I'd make these suggestions. I never get bored and "my" babies tend to do very well because I love interacting with them. I hope OP finds the post helpful.
A baby in a library? What's next...chocolate frosting on my Big Mac?????????
ReplyDeleteWow...
ReplyDeleteI agree with you. My infant charge and I hang around the house as well. We will go on a stroller ride in the neighborhood in the mornings but other than that, we stay in. For one thing, we've had an insufferable summer and another thing, Mom and Dad share a carseat so they rarely leave it at home. You're right that babies don't really need to get out and about.
Plus I think he's got 4 teeth pushing through right now so he hasn't been in the mood to do much of anything lately. :(
MissMannah...
ReplyDeleteFour teeth at once...ouch! Try giving the baby a wet terry wash cloth (without fabric softener) put in the freezer. Its rough texture feels good on baby's gums, and it's cold but not dripping all over the place. Are you familiar with Sophie the Giraffe? That's also a good teether.
How old is your charge? Do you think when he is old enough the parents will leave the car seat so you can go to outside activities? I love Gymboree starting at about 6months old, as well as age appropriate story times and music classes.
I work in Durham and live in Oxford. How about you?
ReplyDeleteAwww that is really far away from me. Oh well.
ReplyDelete