In her latest Nanny Diaries column, Emma Appleton talks about keeping babies stimulated and entertained

Once you’re out of the newborn trenches, as they’re appropriately named, you begin to realise that it’s going to take more than just lying in a cot or sitting in a seat to entertain your baby.

Yet I well remember as a mummy myself and nanny to countless babies it isn’t easy.

As most babies of around six to 12 months wake on average at about 6.30am and go to sleep at around 7pm it can feel like a long day, particularly when you’re still up in the night, the weather is poor or you’re unable to drive for whatever reason.

Once your baby is around six months old they can get restless. You can tell this by lots of activity, their little legs kick, little arms wave and they’ve probably found their voice expressing their needs strongly.

You will probably have got to know their vocabulary/shouts by now. Which cry means hungry, which means pain etc. but now they’ve added in a new one: BOREDOM!

So here are a few tips on how to assist development and keep your baby entertained.

Firstly, all you really need is yourself.

The first thing your baby knows is your voice: the sound of it makes them feel safe and loved.

So it sounds obvious but talk to your baby. Tell them what you’re doing, discuss the day, anything at all. Sing, anything will do. Singing helps with language development and communication.

Though turning on the TV is a huge temptation to keep you awake and distract your baby, try not to turn to it too often.

If you do watch the television, turn your baby away from the screen facing you, or place them on the floor with you, some interactive toys and KEEP TALKING! Even if it’s a running commentary on what you’re watching.

Give them something in their hands. Most babies of this age can grasp and hold an object so put something in that little fist, just make sure it’s safe and edible, babies learn through mouth exploration.

You can use objects in your kitchen for this you don’t need to spend a fortune on fancy toys for babies of this age.

Pop baby in a high chair where they can see you and take some dried pasta in a sealed tub, a wooden spoon, a dish towel a crinkly wrapper or tin foil. Present each item in turn so as not to overwhelm them. My favourite object is a small whisk with a piece of cloth thread through it.

I wave it about with a little song and then challenge them to get the cloth out.

Don’t worry about repeating activities or items as babies learn through repetition. Remember they are learning simple things too like push, pull, throw, reach.

You can keep a baby busy with five bricks. Bang them together or stack them. Baby will knock them down over and over and never get bored.

Which brings me to my (not so) favourite development stage..THROWING.

The times I bend down to pick things up off floors I should have a 10ins waist! But it is an essential learning phrase.

They learn cause and effect, gravity, language, motor skills, problem solving. (After a dozen times you might give up and baby will have to try to figure out how to get it back)

Yet this is the equivalent of watching a movie for them, it’s fascinating.

Play “peepo. “ I’ve never met a baby who doesn’t like a game of hide and peep. I use a towel to hide my face first then I do it to them so they can experience it.

You can do this as you go into different rooms too, make it a game so baby learns independence and security.

Keep moving your baby. They will get bored sitting in the same place all day so move them to a floor at some point and practise rolling, sitting, or standing up against the sofa.

Take a ball and roll it to each other. Put some music on and have a dance. All babies love music. Place toys or objects of interest slightly away to reaching and crawling during tummy time.

Put something inside a tub and teach baby to try to get it out. It’s perfect for problem solving and fine motor.

All babies love books. But only if you show them what to do with them.

Teach them to turn pages as soon as they are able. Get interactive books to begin with. There are so many and you can get a fabulous and free rotation from your local library. Take baby with you to choose.

Just be prepared to read the same book over and over. Babies need and love repetition.

Then when the sun decides to come out, go out and have a walk. You’ll both benefit from the sunshine.