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Once your baby is born, nothing can surpass the joy of newly attained parenthood. Once the initial surprise and delight turn into an everyday routine, taking care of a newborn can become monotonous. At this time, there are certain activities and things to do with a newborn baby that you can get involved in and enjoy the joys of motherhood.
In the initial months, your newborn gets attached to you the most. Therefore, how you connect with your baby in these months plays a crucial role in your baby’s overall development.
Read on this post as we tell you about some fun activities you can try with your baby. These activities are commonly followed by many parents all over the world and are acknowledged by both online and offline communities.
Key Pointers
- Your interactions with your infant in the first few months can greatly impact their development.
- Taking your infant to a local park or nature can provide a change of scenery.
- Playing music from different genres can improve infant memory and cognitive abilities.
- Toys and brightly colored items can aid in developing infant coordination.
- Allowing your infant to experience different sensations during bathing and feeding can be beneficial.
When Should You Start Playing With A Newborn?
During the first month, your newborn may sleep most of the time. In the following weeks or months, they may be awake and active for longer to learn and play (1). From three months, they may start to move their bodies and explore toys with their senses (2). These signs show that your baby is ready to play.
Benefits Of Playing With A Newborn
According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), play is important for all-round development of children (3). Some benefits of play include:
- Healthy brain development
- Interaction with the environment
- Exploring their fears and practicing adult roles
- Building relationships with other children and caregivers
Play is considered essential to development because it improves the cognitive, physical, social, and emotional well-being of children. It also gives parents an opportunity to spend quality time with them (4). There are four types of play (5).
- Toys and object play
In this type, babies interact with age-appropriate toys and objects. They may learn more about their environment by touching and feeling these new toys.
- Physical play
This type of activity supports physical development and enhances muscle strength. For babies, activities such as tummy time and reaching out to grab shiny objects can be included.
- Outdoor play
A newborn might have minimal contact with the outside world but they also absorb new experiences and gain spatial awareness. A quick walk around the park or a stroll in your backyard can constitute their outdoor playtime.
- Pretend play
At this age, pretend play means making funny faces and noises. You can also try “hiding” behind your hands and playing peek-a-boo with them.
When Is It Safe To Take A Newborn Outside?
Although there are no fixed rules for when you can take your baby outside, doctors advise you to wait a few months before taking your newborn to crowded places. This is advisable because your baby’s immune system is still developing and may not be able to fight against infections. However, if the weather is pleasant enough, you can enjoy a stroll and some fresh air with your baby (6).
Top 11 Newborn Baby Activities
If you thought that your newborn baby would only sleep and wake up for meals, then it’s time to rethink! Leah, a mother blogger who manages the blog Simple.Home.Blessings. shares her daily schedule in her blog and says, “When we had our first baby, after she was settled into a sleep schedule that was predictable, I became obsessed with filling her every moment of every day with activities and new experiences. I was afraid that if I left any quiet moments in the air, I would be missing out on her development. It took me a long time to realize that she was experiencing new things and growing each and every day, even when I wasn’t creating activities for her every waking moment. And it took a while to figure out how to fill her days with memorable moments while not being exhausted.” She further adds how activities filled the majority of her baby’s days. She writes, “After three babies, I have kind of discovered the activities that really matter in the first year. The ones that fill our days and have created some of the most memorable moments for our family. They create a sort-of schedule or a checklist that I can look back at when I feel like I have exhausted all the things a baby can do in a day. And being able to check off the list helps me to know I have done my job as a parent, even if we haven’t left the house (i)!” Here are the top activities to do with newborn babies.
1. Baby’s Day Out
Engage your little one in one of the best outdoor activities for babies. It need not be a far-flung place but a nearby park or any natural surroundings. You can take this opportunity to practice babywearing while taking a nature walk or using a stroller to explore your local park together. Studies have shown that nature plays an important role in the physical, psychological, and cognitive development of children. Spending time outdoors can also improve your child’s mood as well (7).
- Let your baby enjoy the lush greenery and feel the fresh air.
- Even though your baby may be too small to play, he may really enjoy seeing the colorful environment and other children playing.
- It will also be a good change for you and your baby from everyday routine.
- Cover them adequately in swaddling clothes making sure they don’t feel cold.
- Make sure the baby is well-fed and rested before you step out.
- Talk about things as you walk around so the baby starts making new connections.
Lindsay, a mom, recalls spending quality time with her newborn son by taking walks or visiting the local park. She says, “When my son was a newborn, he would have moments during the day when he cried a lot. Walks always calmed him down. They were a great opportunity for me to spend time with my son and also have some time to myself, get some exercise, and be outside.
“I love sitting with my son on the grass and watching his big smile. Even just sitting on the grass so your infant can feel the grass, hear the birds sing, see the dogs pass by, and watch the kids play is a fantastic learning experience and a fun and refreshing time (ii).”
2. Music Therapy
All babies have an affinity towards music. Melodies have a soothing effect on babies and can boost their memory as well as mental skills. Studies have shown significant changes in babies’ auditory and prefrontal cortexes after listening to music. Babies become happier and smarter with music (8). Right from fetal stages, music can improve a baby’s musical aptitude, while a mother’s voice can increase the emotional bond between mother and baby (9).
- Play different genres of music when your darling is awake and see which music relaxes him and which annoys him.
- Some music might energize him, while other music might lull him into sleeping.
- It is essential to be present along with your baby while the music is playing.
- Your touch and voice may accentuate the benefits. Sing along while cuddling your baby and encourage your baby to do so too!
- Besides making your baby happy, music will also help calm you.
- As your baby grows, you can experiment with different types of music and see which they like best.
Did you know?3. Record Your Baby’s Move
Each moment with your baby is unique and shall never come back, so make sure you capture them.
- Record your baby’s special moments through pictures or videos.
- Use different accessories and props to make it entertaining for your infant.
- Make him or her wear special clothes, try a different hair style. Your baby will thoroughly enjoy the attention.
- Share these with your spouse and near and dear ones. It will be amazing to watch these together when your baby grows up.
- Parents usually click monthly pictures with decorations according to the month. For instance, they might have an orange backdrop with pumpkins and the baby holding candy for October.
4. Emote
It is a wonderful game to play with your munchkin.
- When your baby is awake and playful, hold him close and try to talk with animated gestures and expressions.
- Vary the pitch of your voice. You will be amazed to see how your baby reacts to your actions. This will help your baby learn and recognize emotions and increase the attention span of your baby.
- This activity can help your infant in early language identification and is a great way to strengthen your bond.
- With time, your baby will be able to recognize your expressions and they may start smiling or crying accordingly, too.
5. Play Hide And Seek
Play hide and seek with your newborn but not in the regular way. This is one of the most interesting things to do with a newborn baby. Peek-a-boo might be a simple game but it has huge benefits for your infant. It helps your child notice and follow patterns such as repeated actions and objects. As you play this game, your baby will learn the connection between informal observation and more formal mathematical concepts (11).
- Hide your face behind your hands or a cloth.
- Call his name or whistle or make any different kind of noise.
- Your infant will recognize your voice and try to find out where it is coming from.
- This activity can increase the alertness in your baby.
- When your baby finds you, pick him up and shower him with your love. This will create a happy emotional bonding.
- As a word of caution, don’t be too far from your baby. Always be at a distance from where you can pick him up if he is about to fall or get hurt.
- Don’t worry if your newborn can’t follow you across the room just yet. A baby’s eyes are still developing to focus the first four to six weeks.
6. Coordination Activity
Introduce your baby to toys and colorful things. If you are looking for things to do with a newborn baby, a simple coordination activity can take care of it. These activities can keep your baby engaged for a long time while also developing their physical and cognitive skills.
- Hang different colorful toys just above your baby’s bed or cradle.
- When touched they should emanate soothing sound or change shape or light up
- Help your baby to reach out to these toys with their hands or toes and show them how interesting it is.
- Your baby will soon learn the coordination of hands, eyes and toes and learn to play on his own.
7. Stimulate The Senses
Let your baby feel everything.
- Don’t hasten any activity you do with your baby.
- If you are bathing your infant, let him or her splash water and play with it.
- If you are feeding, then let him or her feel the bottle.
- This gives your baby an understanding of various senses.
- Such learning is essential for his overall mental, physical and emotional development
8. Introduce New Things
Just like you, your baby also hates routine and needs new things to be entertained.
- Take your baby around the house and show things that are non-hazardous and safe.
- Let your darling stare and feel the objects.
- It is a wonderful feeling for your baby and also a way to increase his or her memory power.
9. Story Time
Of course your little one cannot understand your story but read, nonetheless.
- Read or tell a story by enacting the same with gestures.
- Touch your baby’s toes, and fingers, tickle his belly and see his expressions.
- You can use this activity when you are clothing your baby in their onesies. It is a good way to divert attention too!
10. Try Some Dance
Sure your baby can’t dance but you can definitely sway him to the tunes of music. Dance is considered to be a great alternative to traditional physical activity. It provides physiological and psychological benefits to both healthy and medically compromised people (12). Starting early will make your baby develop an interest in dancing as a way to relieve stress.
- Take your baby in your arms and try some simple steps, rocking them around.
- Such moves are not less than any roller coaster ride for your little one.
- Be careful with your baby’s neck and always keep a hand there.
- This activity can definitely rejuvenate you and your little one.
11. Baby Massage
Massaging is a delightful way to spend quality time with your baby.
- Massaging your baby helps them relax and stimulates both sides of their brain (13).
- It lowers their stress levels, relaxes their muscles, improves flexibility in their arms and legs, aids digestion, and reduces symptoms of colic like irritability and sleeplessness (14 ).
- You can include massaging in your bedtime or bath time routine.
- Use the right oil for massaging after consulting your child’s doctor.
- Since babies are delicate, it’s essential to learn how to massage your baby with the right techniques.
- This activity will strengthen your bond.
Always observe your baby’s cues and adjust activities based on their mood and energy. Maintain regular eye contact and use gentle touch to build a connection. Remember, simplicity is the key; less is often more with newborn play.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How can parents incorporate tummy time into their newborn’s daily routine?
Tummy time is one of the best exercises for babies. To incorporate tummy time into a newborn’s daily routine, parents can place their baby on their stomach two to three times daily for 30-60 minutes. This can be done on a soft blanket or play mat, and parents can engage their baby with toys or by talking to them. Gradually, parents can increase the duration and frequency of tummy time as the baby becomes more comfortable and stronger.
2. What are some signs of a newborn’s emerging personality?
Some newborns may be more sensitive and easily startled, while others may be more relaxed and easy-going. A baby’s temperament, such as their tendency towards fussiness or calmness, can also indicate their emerging personality.
3. How can parents support their newborn’s early learning and development?
Parents can offer various sensory experiences, such as different textures, colors, and sounds, to stimulate their baby’s developing brain. They can help their newborns develop essential cognitive, social, and emotional skills by providing a supportive and stimulating environment.
4. What are the signs that my newborn enjoys an activity?
Watch for signs such as smiles, cooing, or reaching out towards you or the objects involved. If your baby seems relaxed and engaged, they are likely enjoying the interaction.
The birth of a baby is the beginning of many new experiences and learnings. You can turn this phase fun with our list of ten things to do with a newborn baby. These activities focus on many aspects such as listening, seeing, or moving, and promote your baby’s growth. They will enhance your baby’s observation, coordination, and attention skills. The activities also encourage you to spend ample time with your newborn, strengthening your bond. There are also fun ways to get comfortable with your baby and avoid those new parent anxieties if you have any.
Infographic: Things To Do With Your Newborn Baby
While taking care of your newborn’s requirements is of utmost importance, spending quality time with them also develops a lovable and strong bond. Here is an infographic that suggests some fun activities to try with your newborn to aid their development and make a strong connection with them. Illustration: Momjunction Design Team
Illustration: Fun Things To Do With Your Newborn Baby
Image: Stable Diffusion/MomJunction Design Team
Personal Experience: Source
MomJunction articles include first-hand experiences to provide you with better insights through real-life narratives. Here are the sources of personal accounts referenced in this article.
i. Baby’s First Year – A Simple Daily Schedule.https://simplehomeblessings.com/filling-your-babys-first-year-with-memorable-moments/
ii. Spend quality time with your young children and babies with these free activities
https://potpourrimommy.blogspot.com/2013/10/spend-quality-time-with-your-young.html
References
- Learning Play and Your Newborn
https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/learnnewborn.html - Stages of Play From Birth to 6 Months: A Full-Body Experience!
https://www.zerotothree.org/resource/stages-of-play-from-birth-to-6-months-a-full-body-experience/ - Importance of Play in Early Childhood.
https://headstart.gov/curriculum/article/importance-play-early-childhood - Kenneth R. Ginsburg, et al.; (2007); The Importance of Play in Promoting Healthy Child Development and Maintaining Strong Parent-Child Bonds.
https://publications.aap.org/pediatrics/article/119/1/182/70699/The-Importance-of-Play-in-Promoting-Healthy-Child?autologincheck=redirected - The Benefits of Playing with your Child.
https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/the-benefits-of-playing-with-your-child - When Can I Take My Newborn Out in Public?
https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/newborn-out.html - J Kevin Summers, et al.; (2020); The Role of Interaction with Nature in Childhood Development: An Under-Appreciated Ecosystem Service.
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7424505/ - Baby music: The soundtrack to your child’s development.
https://www.unicef.org/parenting/child-development/baby-music-soundtrack-to-development - Ilona Poćwierz-Marciniak and Michał Harciarek; (2021); The Effect of Musical Stimulation and Mother’s Voice on the Early Development of Musical Abilities: A Neuropsychological Perspective.
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8393253/ - How music affects your baby’s brain: Mini Parenting Master Class
https://www.unicef.org/parenting/child-development/how-music-affects-your-babys-brain-class - Playing peekaboo.
https://www.education.sa.gov.au/parents-and-families/curriculum-and-learning/early-years/learning-with-your-child-greatstart/play/playing-peekaboo - Dan Tao, et al.; (2022); The Physiological and Psychological Benefits of Dance and its Effects on Children and Adolescents: A Systematic Review.
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9234256/ - Infant massage: Benefits and Techniques
https://www.lancastergeneralhealth.org/health-hub-home/motherhood/the-first-year/infant-massage-benefits-and-techniques - The Benefits of Baby Massage
https://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/baby/Pages/the-benefits-of-baby-massage.aspx
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