How to Entertain a 0-3-Month Old Baby without a T.V.

Does your newborn baby appear to be fussy all day? She might not be hungry, you know. Just like you, your baby is bored with all the milk feedings, sleep, and diaper changes, and she simply wants to play. So go ahead and play with her!

Learning through Play, supported by UNICEF, states that “…with adequate stimulation, a child’s brain forms neural connections with the world at a pace of 1000 per second.” (UNICEF, 2018, p.7) So refrain from using a television because when you play and interact with your newborn, know that she learns about the world. Here are some ways you can play with your newborn:

Chatting with Your Baby

You may not always have time to talk to your baby, but do try doing so during a diaper change. Look her straight in the eye, talk or make noises, and wait for her gurgling or cooing. This way, she will learn that conversations are about taking turns, listening, and responding.

Singing to Your Newborn Baby

Recite some nursery rhymes with hand motions and watch how your baby will interact. Though she will not understand the words, she will expand her language abilities and catch on to the rhythm. Below is one of the most famous rhymes:

"The wheels on the bus go round and round
Round and round
Round and round
The wheels on the bus go round and round
All through the town"

Face-to-Face Play

Be a clown! Poke your tongue out, laugh, smile, or imitate your baby’s facial expressions. Grasp the opportunity whenever she is calm and be as “clowny” as you can. It’s super fun!

Tummy Time

Lay your baby on her tummy and allow her to lift her head. Give your baby tummy time each day, for it boosts physical growth, but always keep your eye on her as she lifts her head and put her to sleep afterward.

Sunny Brooks Hospital demonstrates healthy strategies to enhance your baby’s physical development. Below is a YouTube video posted by Sunny Brooks Hospital on how to give your baby tummy time.

Dancing with Your Newborn Baby

Since babies long for rocking and moving, hold your baby tight or in kangaroo care, switch on to your favorite song, and “dance like no one is watching”. Such a nice activity to soothe your baby!

Read more: How to Be a Professional at Soothing a Fussy Baby

You may also find cute soothing toys from Petit Mignon.

Touching and Observing

To enhance your baby’s sensory motives, give her different objects to feel. Move them along the palm of her hands or tickle her with feathers and other soft objects. Another wise attempt can be is to leave your baby to ponder alone, for babies enjoy observing and discovering the world around them.

Reading Aloud

It is never too early to start reading to your child. Try reading aloud to your newborn as early as two months of age and watch what wonders she makes! She will be engaged in your high pitched tone and the illustrations, and her language abilities will be intensified. For instance, storybooks by Dr. Suess will draw your newborn to musical rhymes and colorful illustrations.

"I am Sam
Sam I am

That Sam-I-am
That Sam-I-am!
I do not like
That Sam-I-am

Do you like
Green eggs and ham"

There are various ideas that you can settle on to entertain your baby. Yet, no matter how beneficial an article like this can be, let the mother inside of you speak up boldly. Keep in mind that there is no one in the world more understanding of your baby than you!

References:

https://raisingchildren.net.au/newborns/play-learning/play-ideas/playing-with-newborns

https://www.healthline.com/health/baby/how-to-play-with-newborn#playtime-ideas

https://www.unicef.org/sites/default/files/2018-12/UNICEF-Lego-Foundation-Learning-thro

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCn4xsdnwE4FEK3YPw9nUKCA