How to get babies to play by themselves?

[hollymh]

My 1st never wanted any attention, I had to force her to play with me lol My son however, he is almost 10 months old, he loves his momma and he likes to be near me and cuddled, I think like others have said the personality does it. I would slowly teach him to play on his own by making him sit by himself for "X" amount of time whatever oyu feel comfortable with and ever so gradually work on increasing the time. Self-play is important, I always feel left out when my kids play without me

Now with that said, make sure he isnt too overwhlemed with tons of toys, 3-4 different toys are enough, sometimes they won't play with toys if there are too many. GL

 

[ebwy2]

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that's what I think too - but it's hard at the moment when my almost 8-month old is so clingy... sometimes I HAVE to do stuff, despite him making noises.. I keep talking to him, going over and tickling his face, checking if he needs anything... but I can't leave him crying (there's a difference between real crying and grizzling though)

 

[ChickensAreSweet]

What I did with my kids was to put a few toys in front of them, and then be nearby but busy.

If they cried, I would go pick them up. Then put them down when they were calm.

Ok, 5 minutes later, crying again? If not dirty or hungry/thirsty, just bored, I would say something soothing and just keep working.

The baby books I read said that it takes THREE DAYS for kids to get used to a new habit sometimes. So you only have to make it through three days of whining/crying at the new behavior you want them to accomplish.

I have always thought that independent play is absolutely necessary.

 

[Jamie_Dog_Trainer]

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I never liked the phrase "self soothe" seems strange to me for the context its learned it. I wanted to add something to what you said. The only way a child learns that "No one will come when I need something" is if the child is really crying because they need something that you can provide. Not all crying is for this reason, sometimes kids cry because its a learned behavior, not really out of need but habit. Those kinds of bad habitual "needyness" in children can be just as harming as ignoring a real need. After all, not teaching some independance at an appropriate age is just as harmful, if not moreso.

 

[ChikeeMomma]

He could be going through a really needy phase, too. Phases can go as quickly as the come. I agree with ChickensAreSweet. That's kinda what I did, too. I've held a baby and went about my work (as best I could) at the same time. When they'd settled down, I'd put them down to play. Also, I've done plenty of paperwork in the office with a little one at my feet. Mine seemed to be happy as long as they could see me, if they were having a particularly fussy/clingy day.