Congratulations on the arrival of your new bundle of joy! Although they are tiny, newborns are curious little creatures, soaking up the world around them like a sponge. As a new parent, you might be wondering what you can do to keep your newborn entertained and engaged. Never fear! There are plenty of fun activities you can do with your newborn to help them develop physically, mentally, and emotionally. Here are seven engaging activities for newborns to get you started.
- Start tummy time from the start
Did you know that the Raising Children's Network recommends that healthy, full-term babies begin tummy time right from the start? This could begin with 1 to 2 minutes a day and slowly increase over time.
The sooner you start placing your little one on their tummy, the more natural it will feel. However, until your baby's umbilical cord stump falls off, they may find it much more comfortable to do tummy time on your chest or lap.
There are a few ways you can do tummy time in a newborn. You can place black and white images on the floor. Newborn babies love looking at black-and-white images. You can also place your newborn across your legs and put the images in their line of vision. Remember to have your images no further than 25 cm away, as newborn babies cannot see that far.
Although it may not always look like your little one is doing much, they are hard at work. Even just a minute of tummy time can add up in the long run. So if they start crying or seem uncomfortable, take a short break and then try again.
- Read together
Find some of your favourite childhood books and snuggle up with your baby to read them together. Not only is this a great bonding activity, but it's also excellent for cognitive development as your baby starts to recognize words and patterns. It's never too early to start instilling a love of books. Choose short, simple books with bright pictures and plenty of repetition.
- Sing to them
Singing songs and nursery rhymes is another great activity for bonding and learning. Not only will it teach your baby about rhyming words and patterns, but it's also a great way to calm them down when they're feeling fussy. Singing and clapping along to nursery rhymes is also a great way to bond with your baby while supporting their language development. You can even make up your own songs about everyday activities like bath time or getting dressed.
- Pull faces
Your face is your newborn's favourite toy. Take turns making funny faces at each other or blowing bubbles – again, anything that will make your baby smile is sure to be a success! This is also an excellent opportunity for some priceless photos.
- Explore
Get out into nature and explore the world together! Go for walks in the park, visit the zoo, or just sit in the backyard and watch the birds at the feeder. Spending time outdoors is not only great for your baby's health, but it's also been shown to improve moods and mental well-being in people of all ages.
- Give a gentle massage
Newborns love touches and gentle pressure on their bodies, so try giving them a little massage. This promotes calmness and relaxation while helping your newborn bond with you. Just be sure to use light pressure and avoid ticklish areas.
- Show them their reflection.
Babies are fascinated by mirrors, so show them their reflection in a mirror or a shiny surface like a spoon.
These are just a few ideas to get you started in keeping your newborn engaged and entertained—but don't feel like you have to do all of them at once! Instead, pick one or two activities you think your baby will enjoy and go from there. Before you know it, you'll be an expert at reading your baby's cues and knowing what they need.