I’ll admit, I felt a bit silly for Googling it, but during one of those sleepless midnight nursing sessions, I finally gave in. I typed in, “What are you supposed to do with a newborn all day?” The hospital had covered all the essentials—how to strap the baby in the car seat, safe sleep tips, and even how to breastfeed (though I never really got the hang of that football hold they recommended). But they didn’t fill me in on what I was supposed to do with my little one in those fleeting moments between the constant feedings and diaper changes.
In those first few hazy days, I was just trying to keep my tiny human alive—and myself, too! My son’s weight loss after birth, along with my severe sleep deprivation, left me feeling scared and overwhelmed. I didn’t even have the energy to appreciate that newborn smell. When I did manage to think straight, I found myself chastising myself for not soaking in those early days more.
But here’s the kicker: he won’t remember any of it, and honestly, I don’t recall much either. What mattered was that he was fed, warm, dry, and safe. Once those chaotic early days passed, I started to wonder how to keep both of us occupied.
I had a Pinterest board filled with colorful sensory activities, a stack of board books to read, and plans for stroller walks and library storytimes. But all those ideas required a bit more interaction than my son could offer at just a few weeks old. There I was, cuddling him, feeling a bit… bored.
After the whirlwind of pregnancy and a stressful delivery, my maternity leave felt like a sudden halt to my racing thoughts. I’d sometimes read while he napped in my arms, but I stuck to my no-TV rule, thinking it would ruin his attention span. Meanwhile, my husband, Steve, who was enjoying some well-deserved time off, had no such qualms. While I held the baby, he played computer games or relaxed with a book.
“Shouldn’t we talk to the baby?” I suggested.
“What about?” he replied. “He can hear us talking to each other; that’s good enough.”
So there I was, holding my newborn, staring at his face and wondering why I didn’t find it more fascinating. Was I emotionally detached? Missing some vital bonding experience? Or were newborn faces just not that riveting for hours on end? Occasionally, I’d relax enough to watch a bit of TV with Steve, all while my mind wandered to those black-and-white flashcards I’d meant to buy. Would I regret not having them?
Eventually, I couldn’t take it anymore and searched, “What are you supposed to do with a newborn all day?” The online answers were pretty generic—“feed, change, burp, sleep, repeat.” Not exactly exciting stuff.
Maybe it’s because newborns can’t really appreciate entertainment for long. Fast forward nearly two years, and my son is now a lively, affectionate little guy who loves being read to and plays outdoors like a champ. Honestly, he shows no signs of any damage from my initial cluelessness about entertaining a newborn.
Looking back, I only regret a few things. I wish I had prepared more freezer meals ahead of time, let myself nap more, and turned on the TV when I wanted to, even just to enjoy Pride and Prejudice for the millionth time. It would’ve been a nice escape.
Advice for New Parents
So, here’s what I’d tell any anxious, new parent feeling a bit lost: your baby doesn’t care whether you’re reading or watching TV. All they want is to be held. Most of the time, they’ll just be sleeping anyway. It’s all good—the baby is fine, you’re fine, and you’re doing just fine. If it helps, feel free to put Netflix on in the background while you rock your little one. Seriously, it’s going to be okay.
Join the Conversation
What did you do to fill your time when your baby was just a tiny blob? Did you read? Binge-watch shows? Go for long walks? We’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below!
And if you’re looking for some creative nursery inspiration, check out our post on how to make a felted friends chandelier. Also, if you’re considering home insemination, look into Make a Mom for their reusable kits or find a sperm donor at Vegas Pregnancy. You can also learn more about how it works at Make a Mom’s how it works page. For further information on intrauterine insemination, check out this excellent resource from Hopkins Medicine. And don’t miss Modern Family Blog for more insights on parenting.