Life with having a brand new baby can be a huge adjustment. It’s exhausting, repetitive, overwhelming, and wonderful simultaneously. And once these little ones start staying awake a bit longer throughout the day, parents are left to wonder what they should be doing with their little ones.
Baby Wearing
Whether you choose to use a wrap, sling, or carrier, baby wearing can be one of the easiest and most beneficial ways to engage with your little one. The baby will feel better by being soothed through just being close to your body, making them cry less. And you can have a little freedom of your own. Baby wearing gives you the opportunity to be hands-free and check some things off your list while parenting at the same time. I loved to use the carrier while I did the dishes, cooked, and even cleaned.
Skin-to-skin Contact
Holding your baby the closest way possible will act as a form of communication. It’ll make them feel loved, safe, secure, and cared for all at once. It also helps your baby’s senses develop further, stimulates psychological and emotional development, boosts their immune system, promotes bonding, regulates their body temperature and heart rate, aids in hormonal fluctuations, and encourages positive sleep rhythms. I always would add in some skin-to-skin for at least one nap a day.
Baby Talk
Babies absolutely love to hear their parents talk to them. And when you use baby talk with them it builds a language foundation that will contribute later on to how quickly they’ll pick it up. The best way to do so is in the change of tone between higher and deeper pitches and to talk out loud everything going on with yourself. I would do so in saying things as I was doing something, what I was feeling, and what I was thinking. Pretty much narrating everything that was going on with my day.
Singing
Babies are born loving your singing voice, good or bad. It is a safe form of exploration to develop their listening skills and movement. It also encourages language development, provides them with relaxation, and can make provide a deeper bonding experience. I love to set aside a part of the day where my baby is fully attentive to sing at least three songs. Both of my children love baby shark, five little ducks, wheels on the bus, and the ABCs.
Reading
Of course parents can strengthen their baby’s minds and build their children’s vocabularies by talking to them, but reading to them is even more effective. Reading out loud helps your baby develop grammatical understanding, which will develop the basis for learning how to read For usage later on. I also set aside a time every day for reading. I try to do at least one book during this time period, but on good days I get to about three or four.
Get Out
Of course be mindful of any potential places with potential health risks, but getting out of the house is something that babies can’t get enough of. Whether yo I just go outside or to an actual place, your baby will love it. Getting outside will stimulate and engage them through the processing of the information swirling all around them. While taking them to places where the action is provides them with a little free entertainment to soak in interactions and conversations. I try to take them with me everywhere. I take them just in the front yard, to the park, and the grocery store.
Visual Stimulation
Surround your baby with colors (light and dark) as well as interesting visuals. It’ll help them develop their optic nerve and retina further to send strong visual signals to their brain. You can do so through toys, their clothes, and even the paint on their nursery walls. I love to also bust out the mirror to help my baby get in some self awareness at the same time.
Massages
The best form of nonverbal communication. It not only relieves gas and colic, but can also develop their trust, confidence, and bonding. While also furthering their development through the amount of sense stimulation that it provides. I add in a little massage either directly after the bath or right before bed time as I change them into their pajamas.
Introduce Textures
Let your baby feel all of the things to stimulate their sense of touch. It’ll allow them to explore and learn. You can even take it a step further by explaining the texture every time to get them to start associating the words with the feeling. My favorite ways to add some texture is by buying different toys and board books, having them feel different blankets or rugs at the store, and having them feel things in their environment such as the grass, water, and sand when we’re outside.
Tummy Time
The recommendation for this basic activity is about 30-60 minutes a day. And it doesn’t have to be all at once. But the more that you do it, the more that your baby is inclined to reaching all of those milestones on the list of their first year in the world. I started this as soon as possible - literally the day I brought them home from the hospital. My son loved it and would do his full thirty within one time, but Ku daughter hate sit and do we do hers within 5-10 minute time periods throughout the day.
Gymboree
Take a class to get both you and the baby out of the house. You get to meet other moms, do activities that both of you enjoy, and your baby will get to be around others their age. But make sure to keep their regular schedule in mind. You’ll want to choose a time that fits perfect with their nap time and mood. I love going to Gymboree.
Take a Dip
Get your baby in the bath and add some bubble. Even join if you need some relaxation too. Whatever you have to do to end your day right with some warm water and relaxing music (or singing).
Flying
Take your baby in a trip around the house, flying at a safe speed. And add in some fun noises. It’ll help develop their perception of space within their environment. So make sure to surprise them with unexpected movements and add in some varying heights.
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