How to Play With Your Newborn
Once the postpartum experience begins to calm down, you are probably sitting there and wondering how to play with your newborn. As a new mom, you are probably filled with so many questions and wondering about play time.
Is it too soon? Should I be playing with my newborn already???
Here is everything you need to know regarding how to play with your newborn, tips and tricks, and so much more!
When is My Baby Ready to Play and Learn?
Your baby has probably spent their first few weeks or months sleeping and growing. Now that your newborn is becoming more alert, you are probably wondering how to play with them.
Tummy time can begin as early as birth for mothers who choose to put their baby face down on their chest. This is how your baby will begin to strengthen their neck to develop better control of their head. But don’t worry if you didn’t do that, you can always start now.
Signs your baby is ready to play and learn:
They are alert and awake for 30-45 minutes at a time
They are gaining better head control
Your newborn’s eyesight is getting better and they are able to see objects
Baby is able to focus for a few minutes without getting too fussy
I have always been an advocate of letting your baby be a baby. If they are not ready, they do not have to rush into activities and play. But, if they are showing interest, then it might be a great time to start.
How to play with your baby 0-3months: Tummy Time Activities
Benefits of Tummy Time
Tummy time is a great way to play with your baby. There are so many benefits of tummy time.
Develops motor skills
Strengthens neck, shoulder, and back muscles
Develops strength your baby will use to eventually roll over
Helps baby learn to sit and crawl
Improves their head control
Prevents Flat Head Syndrome
Tummy Time Tips
#1 Start Slowly - Your baby should start off with only 1-2 minutes at a time while they learn to strengthen their muscles and control their neck
#2 Interact With Them - Tummy Time Will be so much more fun for your baby if you are interacting with them, talking to them and making eye contact.
#3 Using a Mirror - Babies will start to be able to see themselves in a mirror and are usually very entertained by this. Placing a mirror in front of them can help tummy time last longer.
#4 Strengthen their neck - You can try using a toy to get them to turn their head. Or place them slightly on their side and move the toy so that they try turning their head. They likely can’t do this at first but that is why you practice.
#5 Don’t Overdo It - If your baby is getting tired and fussy, try different positions or just let them relax. They are still learning and growing and might not love it at first.
Tummy Time Milestones
Here are some examples of tummy time milestones by month. Keep in mind that every baby is different and grows at different rates.
1 Month - Able to turn their head and attempt to lift their head
2 Months - Baby can tilt their head in both directions and can spend at least one minute doing tummy time without getting upset
3 Months - Can lift their head and turn both directions and beginning to hold themselves up with their arms
4 Months - Can lift their head on their own and keep it centered. Baby begins to track toys, faces, and voices with their head lifted.
5 Months - Baby can push up on their hands and reach with their hands for toys
6 Months - Reaches for toys and can roll from tummy to back and from their back to tummy
Here is what we use for tummy time:
Tummy Time Pillow - https://a.co/d/7W86y78
Tummy Time Mat - https://a.co/d/iAkz3fK
Tummy Time Toys - https://a.co/d/4mK7kDg https://a.co/d/cpDbgu9 https://a.co/d/iKND5B7
Tummy Time on Boppy - https://a.co/d/4DCqmZD
The Best Tummy Time Toy in the World - https://a.co/d/4VUGvZD
How to play with a newborn baby: Activities for 0-3 months
Newborn Games to Play & Activities
There are many fun ways to play with your newborn baby. Here are some ideas of different newborn activities and games to play.
Newborn Stimulation Toys (high contrast cards, soft toys, toys that make sounds)
Playing with a mirror
Talking and singing with your baby
Playing peek-a-boo
Reading books (+ playing with crinkle books)
Baby activity gyms (grabbing hanging toys, kicking things etc)
Playing in the bath
Learning to play and grab toys and objects
Tummy Time
Skin to Skin
Having conversations with your baby
Sensory toys and objects
Interactive play
Places to Go With a Newborn
One of the perks about having a newborn is that they are normally pretty mellow. They are sleeping, eating, pooping and repeating. This is also great because they generally are fine with going anywhere with you.
I bring my newborn to the park with my son, to the coffee shop, and shopping with me. I put him in the baby carrier or take my Doona stroller with me. He doesn’t really care where we are or what we are doing as long as we are together.
Take this time to enjoy and do what you want to do while taking the time to spend with your baby. Because once they get older, they get pickier. And they want to go to specific places.
When Do Babies Start Interacting with You?
All babies are different. Both of my babies started to recognize faces and began smiling and laughing between one and three months old. Once my babies turned 3 months, I really started to notice that they were more interactive.
Between 2 and 4 months your baby is learning to track with their eyes, grab toys, and start to recognize faces and people.
You will notice your baby recognizing your face and smiles. Then, they will be learning to grab and then roll over. They will be able to interact with you and toys, and grow and learn more and more.
Talking with your baby is a great way to interact with them. They will learn to recognize your face and voice and will eventually begin cooing to try to talk back to you.
This should answer all your questions when it comes to what to do with an awake newborn.
