Being the mother of a newborn child is one of the most inspiring adventures and a great number of novel moments and pleasures. The first years of the life of your baby are the period of fast growth, development, and exploration, and you, as a parent, want to use these precious moments to the very best of your advantage. Although your child might not be old enough to take part in the most activities that you may possibly assume that other older children tend to participate in, you still can find numerous ways to spend time and thrill their senses. And these are 15 of the most fun things you can do with your newborn baby that will actually assist in their growth and bonding of the two of you.
1. Tummy Time
One of the most valuable things you can do to your newborn is tummy time. It takes the form of keeping your baby on his/her tummy when he/she is awake, in order to develop muscles to enable him/her to control his/her neck, roll over, crawl, and finally walk. Begin tummy time when your infant is a few days old and add time durations as they become stronger. The point is to ensure that tummy time is fun, and this will allow it to be part of the routine of your baby.
Examples: Let your baby lie down on a soft blanket on the floor during tummy time. Slap a mirror or a bright toy directly in front of them so that they can raise their head and pay attention to the object. Initially, aim to start with shorter sessions of tummy time (3-5 minutes) and increase it as your baby becomes accustomed to the habit.
2. Soft Baby Massage
Massaging a baby is a relaxing technique of bonding with your newborn and a time to allow the baby to relax. A massage has the potential to increase circulation, eliminate colic, and even make your baby sleep better. By massaging your baby, you also get the opportunity to bond and communicate with your baby through touch, which is fundamental in emotional development.
Upper body: After a warm bath, open a baby-friendly massage oil or lotion and massage the arms, legs, and tummy. Just ensure you use slow strokes with fine pressure and do not press hard as this may hurt the baby. This may be a relaxation habit that you can add to bedtime.
3. Baby Cuddles
Holding your baby is a process that is easy yet significant. Cuddling your infant and being in a sensuous connection close to them and gently rocking them in your arms makes you connect emotionally with your infant. Cuddling can also be used to maintain a moderate body temperature as well as induce the sense of security and love in your baby.
Instead: When you are down at home and hanging, just hold your baby in your arms or on your chest and enjoy being around. It is the best time to talk with your baby, sing some melodies, or simply enjoy the silent moments you have with each other.
4. Reading to Your Baby
Reading to your newborn seems too early, but it is an amazing practice to enhance your baby’s auditory sense and develop their interest in books. Babies are fond of the voice of their parents, and exposing them to language at an early age can accelerate their thinking. They should have colored, large pictures in books or rhymes that can take their attention.
Example: Sit on your lap together with your baby and read them a picture book. Although they may not comprehend what you are saying, they will still be excited when you use your voice, and as you say some sounds and words repeatedly, your child will begin recognizing more sounds and structures in speech.
5. Singing Lullabies
When you sing to your baby, it makes him or her feel relaxed and says that he or she is in a safe and loving place. It also helps your child develop language. Newborns tend to react very well to calming lullabies or any song that is sung. The music rhythm and melody may relax them and also enhance their sleep.
Case in point: Ensure that you sing a soothing lullaby such as “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star,” or any song that you like to your baby as you rock her. You may also incorporate the lullaby into your nightly routine, conveying the message to your child that it is time to slow down to take a night sleep.
Related: 20 Engaging Play Activities for Babies Aged 1-12 Months
6. Soft Sensory Play
Babies are inquisitive in nature, and they start to explore the world by use of their senses. Sensory play is one of the best forms to interact with your baby through his/her sense of feel and hone his/her touch! To expose your baby to new sensations, use various soft materials such as plush toys, silky scarves, or fleece blankets.
Example: Let your baby touch a smooth teddy bear or a fluffy blanket by rubbing his or her body along the touch. Keep an eye on their response, as babies normally show a tendency towards smooth or soft surfaces, and they might react by reaching or even holding onto the object.
7. Making Faces
Babies start at birth and are very interested in faces. Soon, they will begin checking facial expressions in the first few months. One of the best ways to communicate with your baby is by making silly faces, where you manage to elicit a laugh or a smile. This game will teach your baby to interact with others and will make them start developing an understanding of various feelings.
Examples: Sit or kneel in front of your baby and make funny faces. Stick your tongue out, raise your eyebrows, or make raspberries. Wait and watch when your baby smiles or giggles. You will both enjoy the exchange!
8. Peek-A-Boo
Peek-a-boo is probably the best game to play with newborns and the simplest one. It aids in the teaching of object permanence to babies, the belief that things do not disappear simply because they are out of their visibility. It is an enjoyable experience to grow closer to your baby as they get an unexpected surprise.
Example: Bury your head in your hands and make it peep out saying, “Peek-a-boo!” I’m sure your baby will reward you with an enthusiastic smile, and you can play the game as many times as he/she wants.
9. Rhythm and Music
Music has great influence on the development of a newborn. Getting babies to respond to sounds by being exposed to music will aid their auditory capabilities and mood maintenance since the baby will be exposed to music. Calming one can also find rhythmic movements to music soothing.
Examples: Play soft classical pieces or nature sounds while holding your child in your arms. To make your baby respond, rock or sway to the rhythm gently. This rhythm will help develop a sense of rhythm in your baby with the help of music and movement.
10. Baby Bouncing
Baby life is full of exciting discoveries but at the same time, this is calming to the babies, especially when they are feeling a bit fussy. It is possible to bounce your baby on the knee or in your arms. The rhythmic movement results in a relaxing and captivating experience for your child.
Example: Sit on a soft surface and rock the baby on your knee, resorting to slight bouncing. You can also hold your baby in your arms and gently shake him/her up and down. Add this to a lullaby or a joking song, and it is fun.
11. Baby Yoga
It is unlikely that your baby is too young to practice the entire yoga routine, but you can begin teaching them some small, simple movements that enhance flexibility, as well as muscle tone, at a young age. Baby yoga exercises will also help in the digestive system of the baby and in the general coordination of your baby.
Case in point: Spread the arms and legs of the baby while lying on his back. Stroke their legs in a cycling motion as a way of improving their muscles and developing coordination.
12. Baby-Friendly Photography
Managing to create lasting memories of the early life of your newborn is something that you will enjoy. Baby photography is a good method to take pictures of important moments and stages: even a casual photo session or a themed photo rehearsal.
Scenario: Dress your baby in a cuddly attire and put them on a comfortable blanket where they are surrounded by stuffed animals or seasonal garlands. Take some pictures to create a keepsake album, which you can reflect on as they grow.
13. Outdoor Strolls
Exposure to sunshine and fresh air is good for you and your baby. A simple walk in the open will also help you and your baby have a break from closed spaces and allow your baby to explore the world around them through their senses. An outdoor walk is always a very good bonding activity, whether in a stroller or a baby carrier.
Example: Take a stroll with your baby in the park or in your neighborhood. Allow them to experience the sights, sounds, and smells of the outdoors, and you enjoy the fresh air.
14. Baby Bubbles
Bubble blowing is one of those games that will interest your baby. Although they are still too young to blow bubbles, they will enjoy watching them along with other bubbles drifting and popping. It is another convenience in helping the baby gain visual tracking skills as they observe their baby tracking the movement of the bubbles with their eyes.
Example: Blow some bubbles around the face of your baby using a bubble wand. The movement of the bubbles will be watched as they float into their eyes, and see whether they try to touch them.
15. Skin-to-Skin Contact
One of the strongest bonds with your baby is skin-to-skin contact. When you hold your baby close on your chest, it does not only create the desired emotional bond between the two of you but also allows you to control the body temperature and the heart rate of your baby too. This close and cuddly experience could be beneficial long-term to both you and the baby.
Case in point: Take off your baby’s clothes (leaving only a diaper) and lie it on your naked chest. This would be time to relax, chat in a low tone, or breastfeed, based on the requirements of your child.
Conclusion
You have several months of engaging activities with your baby when it is essential to establish relationships with them and their development. Although it is true that your baby is still in developmental stages, these easy and amusing activities could make great changes in their sensory, emotional, and physical progress. Keep thinking about new things you can do to spend some time together with your baby, and as you start doing it, bear in mind that these are the moments that you can spend together, and all the love and care you give your baby is what is going to precondition his/her future well-being.
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