"Playing" with your Newborn
Although very young babies cannot hold toys or take part in games, even the newest baby will get bored if they don't receive some interaction from their caregiver while they are awake. In saying this babies do need time to rest and gaze around on their own. If baby is quite happy doing this they will not be bored or lonely but taking in all around them and processing all the new stimuli in their world.
The best entertainment for a baby is adult company. While baby is awake get into the habit of having them next to you whatever you are doing. This way you can easily "chat" to baby or interact with baby when you feel the need.
When babies are carried around that get the perfect vantage point to take in the world around. Using a baby sling is the perfect way to do this while freeing up your arms to carry out simple tasks.
Give your baby lots of different things to look at. Remember at first babies won't see anything more than 30cm away from them.
Some other ideas:
- Ride in the buggy
- Sing to baby
- Play with their fingers and toes (these are sensitive in infants)
- Read short stories
- Play music
