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
Sarah
Tummy time! We love tummy time. I’ve even included it into our bedtime routine! Basically I was following the routine from Susan Urban (we’re using her How to teach a baby to fall asleep alone book – it’s great!) but I wanted to add something more. And this is it! The touch, the closeness… I find it calming for her and relaxing for me too.
Nancy Khalife
Wonderful!