Once my brand new baby started to emerge from her haze of constant sleep, I found myself wondering, “Now what?” She wasn’t capable of holding up her own head or grabbing things with her hands, but it still seemed there had to be some way I could entertain her. The following activities emerged as some of the best ways to stimulate my one-month-old.
“Kicky, kick!”
My baby loved being placed on a blanket on the floor or in her Pack ‘n’ Play just to kick her little legs around and explore bodily movement. She was happiest when her legs were bare!
Flash cards
Babies are stimulated by bold patterns and contrasting colors. My baby loved these Genius Baby flash cards. I used to call them her “friends” because she got so excited to see them!
Dance parties
Turning on some favorite tunes (or practicing my singing skills) and dancing around the living room stimulated my baby’s brain through music. As an added bonus, it gave us a chance to snuggle while we danced.
Baby-wearing
Not all developmental activities have to be creative. Babies can get a lot of stimulation out of being worn in a sling or wrap as you go about your daily activities. Mine loved being in the Moby wrap while I worked on dishes or laundry.
“Conversations”
One-month-old babies are just learning to communicate with their voices. I spent a lot of time talking to my baby, and she’d listen intently and sometimes coo back! It seemed to thrill her when we’d have these “conversations.”
Play mats
The colors, sounds, and textures, of play mats provide a great opportunity for sensory stimulation. They also make a particularly fun place for tummy time.
Bath time
My baby’s favorite time of day has always been bath time. The sensations of water combined with the quality time I spend interacting with her in the tub make for an excellent stimulating activity.
Walks
Even though my baby was born in November, we were blessed with an unseasonably warm Midwest winter, and I was able to take her for her first walk at seven weeks old. She was stimulated by all the new sights and sounds of the outdoors. I was able to get out of the house and work towards shedding some of that baby weight. A win-win!
While they may not be able to play with toys, parents can do a lot to stimulate their babies’ development from an early age. But don’t stress too much about keeping him entertained – just being close to your baby during the day will provide just what your baby needs: you!
You might also like:
Getting your baby to nap: Tips from a new mom
Challenge of a lifetime: How I prepared for mommyhood
