Welcoming your sweet baby into the world is one of the best experiences in life. While amazing and beautiful, it can be filled with uncertainty. As we all know, there isn’t a manual to navigate parenthood. You may have questions right away or you may start to develop questions as the weeks pass by.
Why Newborn Play is Important
One question that many newborn parents wonder is: “How do I play with my newborn?” Learning how to play with a newborn can be difficult, but it is so important to help them navigate developmental milestones. Newborns are small and delicate, but they are quick learners. Engaging them in activities and interactions is a huge part of their early development. It stimulates sensory growth, enhances motor skills, strengthens the parent-child bond, boosts cognitive development, and promotes emotional well-being.
How To Play with a Newborn
There are many different ways to play with a newborn. From the moment that your baby arrives home you can begin incorporating activities to help their development. Heck! You are probably doing more than you think:
Tip #1: Gentle Talking and Singing
Simply talking and singing with your baby is a wonderful way to begin engaging and interacting with them. Your voice is a sound that your newborn will recognize. It will help to continue building a solid emotional bond, and begin to lay the foundation for trust. Gentle communication stimulates their senses. Even though they don’t understand what you are saying, your voice is a source of comfort. It will help ease your baby in this new (and a little bit scary) world.
- Speak softly and in a calm voice to help your baby feel safe and secure
- Sing simple lullabies to soothe or comfort your baby
- Use exaggerated facial expressions to help them learn emotions (have fun and be silly!)
- Incorporate different tones to keep their interest
Tip #2: Engage in Tummy Time
Tummy time is a crucial activity that helps your newborn develop physical skills. Tummy time is when you place your newborn on their stomach for a few minutes every day. Practicing tummy time helps newborns strengthen their neck and shoulder muscles. It encourages them to lift their head, which can help them learn to roll or eventually crawl. You can start tummy time in the first few weeks!
Most newborns find tummy time challenging which may elicit some tears. Please know that this is normal and part of the process. Start slowly with a few minutes each day. Try to make tummy time engaging with toys, mirrors, or black and white books. Incorporating a tummy time mat or activity center can also help engage your newborn. Exploration supports motor skills and aids in developing hand-eye coordination! All great things!
- Begin tummy time with 1-2 minute sessions. Increase gradually as their strength improves
- Use colorful toys, mirrors, or books to capture their attention and provide motivation to lift their head
- Ensure your baby is always awake and supervised!
Tip #3: Colorful and High-Contrast Toys
Setting the scene up for success is key. Newborns see best within 8 to 12 inches and are drawn to black/white, and high-contrast colors. These high contrast colors really help engage their attention and encourage visual tracking.
Toys that rustle or have an element of movement can retain their interest while supporting their cognitive and visual growth.
Tip #4: Encourage Sensory Play
Sensory play is a great way to lay the foundation for understanding and interaction of the world. It helps stimulate other senses – like hearing and seeing. By exposing your newborn to sensations, like massaging hands or feet, and exploring different textures, you are helping develop their brain.
- Offer soft, textured blankets or cloths
- Give your baby massages after bath or during diaper changes
- Provide lightweight, fabric-feeling rattles or toys
Tip #5: Play Simple Games
Simple games like peek-a-boo or hand-clapping will never go out of style. They introduce social interactions and cognitive concepts like object permanence. Playful interactions like peek-a-boo can elicit some of the sweetest smiles and laughs.
- Use a soft cloth of your hands to play peek-a-boo
- Gently clap their hands together while singing songs
- Play simple call and response games, imitating their coos and gurgles
- Offer your own animated facial expression to see how they respond
When Should You Start Playing with a Newborn?
You can literally begin playing with your newborn right when you get home from the hospital. Babies love and thrive on interaction and comfort. Engaging in those early days can begin to lay the foundation for a nurturing relationship and a stimulating environment.
Sleep Shore Sleep Consulting
While a lot of advice out there will tell you that the more tired your infant is, the better they will sleep, that isn’t always true. Newborn sleep can be a whirlwind. If you are wondering how to get your newborn to sleep longer stretches or get them on a sleep schedule, we are here to help!
If your child is unable to fall asleep, stay asleep, or wake up at a normal time, it may be time to consider sleep training. Sleep Shore offers personalized solutions for each unique sleeping situation to get your little one on track- whether they’re a newborn, infant, or toddler. We also offer in home sleep training services in the Boston, Massachusetts, Central Michigan (Midland, Clare, Mt. Pleasant) and Traverse City, Michigan. Sleep training offers babies and children with the skills to fall asleep on their own so they can wake up feeling more well-rested- and in turn, you’ll feel more energized, too! See what this mama had to say about our sleep services below:
“I found Mollys page when I was thick in newborn sleep with my first. Her content is easy to understand and extremely helpful! We bought a few of her guides and used every one of them! During a small sleep regression I was able to book a 15 minute consult that was extremely valuable for me to bounce ideas off of her and have her give me a couple of new things to try (ideas that WORKED!). I felt very heard and like she cared so much for me and my daughter. Would HIGHLY recommend Molly and her team for sleep consulting!”
- Mom of Newborn