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As a mom, I know that playtime with a newborn can seem intimidating. At this age, their wake windows are so short that it’s easy to feel like all you have time for is feeding and getting them back to sleep. Not to mention the fact that they don’t see very well and can’t even hold up their own heads yet.
But as a pediatric occupational therapist, I know that play is important at any age. Play is the main way babies learn not only about the world around them, but also about how their bodies work. Believe it or not, newborn babies actually don’t even know they have arms or legs. But through play, they start to gain awareness of their bodies and even build the strength they need to meet milestones like crawling and walking down the road.
The good news is that playtime doesn’t have to be really involved. There are so many ways – even in the first few weeks – to play with your baby in a way that is both purposeful and fun. I love sharing these ideas with parents, which is why I partnered with BabyCenter to make a virtual, on-demand course called Meeting Physical Milestones Through PlayOpens a new window.
It helps guide parents through a year’s worth of purposeful play ideas. Here is a preview of a few ideas for newborns.
Tummy time
“Tummy time,” a.k.a. positioning your baby on their belly, is the foundation for all of the physical milestones that come later, like rolling over, sitting, and so on. When you place your baby on their tummy, it helps them build strength in their neck, back, and core.
You’ve probably heard of tummy time, but you might not know that it should ideally start as soon as you get home from the hospital. For a newborn, the goal is to do roughly 20 minutes of tummy time each day. But don’t worry about doing all of it at once. Even just a minute at a time will do – especially if your baby finds it frustrating at first, which they probably will.
In the early days, your baby may only be able to lift their head slightly. So you can make tummy time fun by placing your baby on a mat with some high-contrast cards or a baby safe mirror in their line of vision. If those don’t distract them, try placing a rolled-up blanket under their chest with their forearms still touching the floor for support.
Take them on a house tour
Even at this age, your baby is very interested in the world around them. Try holding your baby over your shoulder and then taking them on a tour of your house. Show them the art and photographs on your walls, a mirror, the windows, the light switches, the sink, and everything in between. The sound of your voice and the new sights will be fascinating to them. And bonus: Carrying them upright gives them a chance to practice their head control. Any time your newborn spends not on their back is optimal for preventing the development or formation of flat spots on their head.
Walk outside in the carrier
Getting outside in the fresh air and sunshine is great for helping newborns learn the difference between day and night. If you use an infant carrier, which allows them to sit upright and hold their head up, it can be time for them to strengthen their neck muscles, as well. Remember: Any position where they’re not flat on their backs will help them build strength. And remember to keep them facing inwards if they’re younger than 4 months.
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Talk to your baby
Your face is your baby’s favorite toy! To your baby, you are the most interesting person in the world, so why not give them a close look? Tell stories, sing songs, or make funny faces. Your baby may not know exactly what you’re saying, but hearing your voice is soothing for them. You can make this time extra purposeful by setting your baby up on your chest. Lay back on the couch, and position baby facing you, while they’re lying on their tummy. The promise of seeing your smile will encourage them to lift their head – and work those core neck, core, and back muscles.
Want to keep learning?
These are just a few of the ideas for playing with your baby that I go through in the BabyCenter Courses class Meeting Physical Milestones Through PlayOpens a new window. It has lots of fun playtime inspiration for your baby’s first year – and all of it will help your baby hit their milestones, too. At just $45, it’s less than the cost of many toys. And I promise you’ll get a ton out of it!