Infant Playing Alone...

Updated on June 04, 2010
Y.A. asks from Garden Grove, CA
9 answers

Hey mamas!

I got a questions my DD is 8 months (today!) And my question is...is it ok for them to play alone for most of the day? I'm a SAHM and I've found myself leaving my DD to play on the floor (she's not crawling yet) or in her playpen or jumper most of the day. Unless she fusses I'll just leave her at playing alone. I feel bad but she's happy playing alone. Of course I do spend time with her and read and play. But like I said, lately I've noticed I have been leaving her to play alone more often. Is it ok? Like I said, she doesn't fuss and can play for like an hour by herself. Any feedback would be great :) thanks!

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So What Happened?

Thanks ladies! I don't let her play a whole hour alone and of course I'm always with her and I'll talk to her and ask her what she's doing and stuff like that. Although, she will play an hour or so alone if I let her! Lol. I do want to go check out my local library and see if they have some program or something for her age group! :)

Kate J- DD stands for dear daughter in my question :)

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K.J.

answers from Chicago on

just for clarification... by the abbreviation "DD" do you mean "dear daughter" or "developmentally disabled?" If the latter, than the reply I'd offer to you is totally different than if you just meant "dear daughter."

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A.N.

answers from Los Angeles on

I think that it is fine for her to play alone, but not most of the day. Kids need interaction just like adults so I would say that you need to monitor the time alone. Maybe alternate 1 hour playing alone, 1 hour reading and playing with you. How do you know she's happy playing alone? Just because she doesn't cry or fuss does not really mean she's happy, and especially if she is DD you really need to make sure that there is sufficient interaction throughout the day.

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D.W.

answers from Gainesville on

It's not a problem for little ones to entertain themselves per se but what concerns me is that you are saying it's most of the day and it seems to be increasing. Babies need face time, they need to be talked to, played with, they need interaction and stimulation for growth and development. Of course you don't have to be with her every second but even leaving her to her own devices for an hour at a time is a long, long time in baby world.

One suggestion I have is to get out with baby. See if your local library has baby time. It's a wonderful time of interaction, stories and play. Have baby in the kitchen with you when you are doing dishes or cooking. Give her pots and pans to play with, tell her what you are doing/working on, if you are folding clothes in the living room include her in it, that type of thing.

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S.H.

answers from Honolulu on

if it is "most" of they day... then I think that proportion is a bit too long.
Its nice your baby is independent for now and amuses herself... not all babies do that, nor kids. So it is nice.... because as she gets older, then she will need more interaction and she will be much busier once she starts crawling and walking etc. But at this age as well, they need interaction and time/bonding with you.

Think about it this way: If your baby were at a Daycare or with a babysitter... would you want that caretaker to "most of the day" leave your baby alone by herself or just be put in a play-pen all day or in a jumper 'most of the day?' Or would you expect your baby to be interacted with and play with a person and taught things? How would you feel about that?
(side note: a baby should not be in a jumper most of the day, though. There are specifications for the length of time they should be in there).

A baby, won't know any different if that is her daily routine and habits. But some babies, once they become 'vocal' will cry out for you or just not be happy being alone most of the day.

all the best,
Susan

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S.B.

answers from Kansas City on

as long as she's not able to hurt herself, and all of her basic needs are taken care of (diapers, etc) and she's not fussy, that's fine.

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C.G.

answers from Dallas on

It's perfectly fine, if she is happy, well fed and changed it's ok if she plays by herself. She will prefer to play with a playmate in a few months but right now it's great to let them entertain themselves.
congrats on your baby girl's 8 months! time flies doesn't it,

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M.L.

answers from Seattle on

With my oldest, I would let her play alone while I was in the room with her and she was fine. We just tried to set a time limit on how long each day. For us, it was about 90 minutes total over the course of the day.

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J.V.

answers from Chicago on

As long as you have quality time together a few times a day, I say go for it! That's how I parent. If they aren't fussing, they aren't fussing!

My 2 year plays alone most of the day, very happily. It's great! (she knew her ABC's at 18 months, and her numbers by 20 months...so it's not like I'm neglecting her...)

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K.H.

answers from Washington DC on

Don't stress , your not neglecting her , and you make sure she is safe , no-one can sit and play with their kids all day long , it's fine and she is fine.

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