Independent infants.

I used to think that Abby was bored when I could not interact with her for whatever reason. Instead, I set her up in her crib with toys or in her swing with the mobile and I hear her laugh and kick and talk to dolphins:

The Dolphin Whisperer

I even feel a little guilty if I am not able to personally interact with her. Abby is a very social child (to the extent that she can be at this stage of development). She locks eye contact, she tracks movement and sound. She babbles to herself as well as responsively with DH and I. She recognizes familiar faces and voices. Then I think that if she were unhappy, she would let me know. I should (and somewhat DO) feel grateful that she entertains herself.

Abby has also finally discovered her thumb as she has been sucking on the heel of her hand as well as other fingers for sometime now. People have commented that we will have a thumb sucker as if that is a horrible thing. Ya know what I say? I say: . If my kid wants to suck her thumb to keep her calm, so be it. Abby has self-soothing skills and is not a kvetchy kid. So if she needs braces in the future, she will get them, Whoopdie do! Frankly, the behaviorist in me is glad, she can calm herself down.

Share your thoughts.

Re: Independent infants.

My thoughts are that it's a wonderful thing that she is able to entertain herself. My DD was very similar and is just recently at 2 yrs old wanting me to play with her since she needs someone to play pretend with her sometimes. It's made the transition of my DS a lot easier since I can leave her alone to play while I feed/put him to sleep, etc. While she is painfully shy most times with other children, she never hesitates to play and go off and do her own thing and people always comment how well mannered and independent she is (most of the time).

My DS on the other hand...never wants me out of the room and bores a lot quicker than DD did - such a mama's boy!

Thumb sucking...whatever makes her happy!

Re: Independent infants.

I know what you mean, but when DD was the age she was the same way! Now, she CAN entertain herself but at 8 months if you are not paying attention to her or sitting near her when she's playing with something she will let you know that she wants you around . She'll be playing with her learning table , not even looking at me...busy as a bee...but if she turns around and I'm not right next to her she gets mad...haha. As for the thumb sucking, I'd say it's fine ! Abby sounds like a very happy well adjusted little baby!

Re: Independent infants.

It sounds like your baby is very happy and secure! I think that's a wonderful thing. DS was very similar as an infant. I could put him under his mobile for at least 2 15 min music cycles. In the morning I called it my "mobile snooze." I could change his diaper, cuddle him for a few minutes, and then put him back in while I brushed my teeth and hair, made the bed, and fed the dog. It was awesome. I even complained to a friend once that he had no signs of any separation anxiety when that was "supposed" to kick in. She told me not to worry.... that was a sign of a very secure baby.

Now, at almost 10 months he is very similar to the infant he was. Sometimes he plays quietly in his crib for 1.5 hours before collapsing in a heap and taking a nap. He loves interacting with people, but he is also content playing by himself. I am an only child and have always been like this, too! Maybe it's genetic.

Re: Independent infants.

Posted by mamasita27

I know what you mean, but when DD was the age she was the same way! Now, she CAN entertain herself but at 8 months if you are not paying attention to her or sitting near her when she's playing with something she will let you know that she wants you around . She'll be playing with her learning table , not even looking at me...busy as a bee...but if she turns around and I'm not right next to her she gets mad...

Message edited 1/17/2009 10:31:56 AM.

Re: Independent infants.

Posted by Goldi0218

I used to think that Abby was bored when I could not interact with her for whatever reason. Instead, I set her up in her crib with toys or in her swing with the mobile and I hear her laugh and kick and talk to dolphins:

The Dolphin Whisperer

I even feel a little guilty if I am not able to personally interact with her. Abby is a very social child (to the extent that she can be at this stage of development). She locks eye contact, she tracks movement and sound. She babbles to herself as well as responsively with DH and I. She recognizes familiar faces and voices. Then I think that if she were unhappy, she would let me know. I should (and somewhat DO) feel grateful that she entertains herself.

Abby has also finally discovered her thumb as she has been sucking on the heel of her hand as well as other fingers for sometime now. People have commented that we will have a thumb sucker as if that is a horrible thing. Ya know what I say? I say: . If my kid wants to suck her thumb to keep her calm, so be it. Abby has self-soothing skills and is not a kvetchy kid. So if she needs braces in the future, she will get them, Whoopdie do! Frankly, the behaviorist in me is glad, she can calm herself down.

Share your thoughts.

Re: Independent infants.

Posted by Hofstra26

Posted by Goldi0218

I used to think that Abby was bored when I could not interact with her for whatever reason. Instead, I set her up in her crib with toys or in her swing with the mobile and I hear her laugh and kick and talk to dolphins:

The Dolphin Whisperer

I even feel a little guilty if I am not able to personally interact with her. Abby is a very social child (to the extent that she can be at this stage of development). She locks eye contact, she tracks movement and sound. She babbles to herself as well as responsively with DH and I. She recognizes familiar faces and voices. Then I think that if she were unhappy, she would let me know. I should (and somewhat DO) feel grateful that she entertains herself.

Abby has also finally discovered her thumb as she has been sucking on the heel of her hand as well as other fingers for sometime now. People have commented that we will have a thumb sucker as if that is a horrible thing. Ya know what I say? I say: . If my kid wants to suck her thumb to keep her calm, so be it. Abby has self-soothing skills and is not a kvetchy kid. So if she needs braces in the future, she will get them, Whoopdie do! Frankly, the behaviorist in me is glad, she can calm herself down.

Share your thoughts.

I am with you on the thumb sucking. Emerson started with that at just a few weeks old and personally, I think it's great! She calms herself down, keeps herself asleep. The thumb sucking works for me!!

Re: Independent infants.

Posted by Goldi0218

Posted by Hofstra26

Posted by Goldi0218

I used to think that Abby was bored when I could not interact with her for whatever reason. Instead, I set her up in her crib with toys or in her swing with the mobile and I hear her laugh and kick and talk to dolphins:

The Dolphin Whisperer

I even feel a little guilty if I am not able to personally interact with her. Abby is a very social child (to the extent that she can be at this stage of development). She locks eye contact, she tracks movement and sound. She babbles to herself as well as responsively with DH and I. She recognizes familiar faces and voices. Then I think that if she were unhappy, she would let me know. I should (and somewhat DO) feel grateful that she entertains herself.

Abby has also finally discovered her thumb as she has been sucking on the heel of her hand as well as other fingers for sometime now. People have commented that we will have a thumb sucker as if that is a horrible thing. Ya know what I say? I say: . If my kid wants to suck her thumb to keep her calm, so be it. Abby has self-soothing skills and is not a kvetchy kid. So if she needs braces in the future, she will get them, Whoopdie do! Frankly, the behaviorist in me is glad, she can calm herself down.

Share your thoughts.

I am with you on the thumb sucking. Emerson started with that at just a few weeks old and personally, I think it's great! She calms herself down, keeps herself asleep. The thumb sucking works for me!!

DH has a great dental plan and we have dentists and orthodontists in the family. It is a great thing, but the least of my worries. People always have something to say. If its not the thumb, it is the pacifier (which she actually pulls out of her mouth to be replaced by her thumb). I just want her to stay happy!

Message edited 1/17/2009 11:43:07 AM.

Re: Independent infants.

Whatever works to keep them calm I am all for it.

Alex has discovered his feet and will spend so much time tickling his own toes and holding his feet. He's even tried to eat his toes a few times. If this is what keeps him amused play away with your toes

Re: Independent infants.

DS is very similar.... except he prefers to socialize with people. he'll self-amuse for a little while (15 min a couple times a week), but then will realize he's alone and begin to cry

DS is also a pig... he shoves his whole hand into his mouth

I bet his hand/thumb sucking began recently becuase he's beginning the teething process.. (he doesn't have a binky... doesn't like them)

my attitude about thumb sucking is this:
have you ever seen a thumb-sucking adult? nope. they'll get over it... why ruin their fun?

Message edited 1/17/2009 12:59:21 PM.

Re: Independent infants.

i could not have said it better myself! leslie you shared the exact same feelings i have been having about Luca lately. he is sooo good at entertaining himself. and although i feel guilty if i am not down on the floor with him every second, the truth is, he is perfectly happy and content - and he DEFINITELY lets me know if he isn't

my little man found his thumb yesterday too, and i said the same thing - if it helps him soothe himself so be it. i only care about having a happy child

Re: Independent infants.

Benjamin was also an extremely independent infant to the point where I would feel like there was something wrong with me for not being able to entertain him. When I realized it was okay and normal for him to not need constant stimulation from us, that he was developing nicely, I was okay with it. Even now, at 18 mos, he's a very independent toddler where he can play by himself if necessary. He gets a lot of playtime with other children at daycare and DH and I play with him every day so I think all bases are covered.

As far are thumb sucking, if it makes her happy, why not let her do it? It's not like she's going to go off to college and still be sucking her thumb. At 18 mos, Ben still uses his pacifyer to calm himself down or go to sleep. We'll start getting him off of it after this baby arrives, on our doctor's advice. I still get unsolicited advice from strangers on why it's not good for him but I really don't care about what they say. My child is happy and that's what matters to me.

Message edited 1/17/2009 2:05:47 PM.

Re: Independent infants.

As a mother of both types of children..those that know how to entertain themselves and those that need to be entertained...the former definitely saves your sanity.

Caden is an extremely Independent child. Puts himself to sleep..plays well by himself...is always busy busy busy. Knows how to calm himself down...it's nice to see.

I sucked my thumb until I was 7 and I never needed braces...so poooo.