Last Updated: April 05, 2024 | Mama’s Shell
As a first-time mom, I wondered what new activities I could do with my newborn in her spare waking window without feeding, changing nappies, and lulling to sleep. I thought I had to buy various toys from the beginning to play with my little one.
However, that’s optional at most. I now know that during the first month of my newborn’s life, she didn’t need any expensive or flashy toys. We could do a lot of fun activities just by ourselves.
In this article, I will talk about 15 fun activities we can do with our 0 to 3-month-olds during their short waking period.
Talking
The most thriving activity you can do with your little one is talking from day one. We know that somewhat. But it becomes uncomfortable when we practice in real life. We lose words after a few minutes of talking.
So, set the mindset that you are talking with someone who can listen to all ears and give feedback. When speaking with your little one, play both characters in two-way communication. Talk about your daily life, feelings, hobbies, experiences with your newborn, etc.
Rather than talk in boo-boo or ga-ga words, converse in infant-directed speech (IDS) or parentese. Parentese is the act of speaking in natural languages with a bit-pitched sing-songy articulation in elongated vowels and an exaggerated tone. Studies show that talking in parentheses develops a child’s language skills profoundly.
Singing
You may find your voice cracked while signing, but that cracky voice is the most melodious voice for your baby. So, without any hesitation, be a singer and start singing live to your little one. This activity will not only soothe her but also make you more exuberant.
Showing expression
Every newborn is nearsighted. The best objects their eye can focus on are objects placed 8 to 10 inches from their face or the distance to the parent’s face. So, it would be an enjoyable activity for your little one if you inclined towards your newborn’s face and showed different facial expressions at this certain distance so your baby could see you correctly.
Cycling act
As your little one moves their feet a lot inside Mama’s tummy, this is the time for her to practice it in the real world. Infants naturally stroke their tiny little legs often during the waking period. So, you can also gently practice bicycle pedalling with their legs. It could also develop their leg muscle strength and fine motor skills.
Clapping
Playing gentle clapping is also a fun activity to do. Clapping your newborn’s hands together and narrating your actions will make her feel like she is getting your attention.
Skin-to-skin contact
When your baby was inside your womb, the most prominent sound he was hearing all the time was his mother’s heartbeat. When you put your newborn on your chest and make skin-to-skin contact, the beating sound of the heart reminds him of the days of the womb. Skin-to-skin contact as a child during her fussy stages,
- Decreases stress,
- Promotes bonding,
- Increases deep sleep time,
- Stabilizes the body’s temperature and blood oxygen level, and
- Strengthens the baby’s digestion and immune systems.
When I was a new mom, I was afraid of holding my baby correctly to make skin-to-skin contact, as her neck muscles weren’t strong enough to position her on my chest. However, as time passed, I realised how much skin-to-skin contact benefits me and my baby. If you feel afraid to hold your baby to make skin-to-skin contact, seek help from professionals. But don’t skip this activity, as this activity is one of the best ways to relieve your and your baby’s stress.
Palmar Grasp Reflex
If you place your finger on the palm of the baby, the baby will instantly grasp it. It’s an involuntary reflex action, which could be a fun activity for you to play with your little one.
Massaging
You can incorporate massage into your newborn’s daily routine. Massaging induces touch-based activity, which benefits your little one in many ways. You may wonder which activity can help your newborn sleep better, relieve colic and fussiness, keep her calm, and boost digestion. Massaging could be an all-in-one solution for that. You can make a daily fixed massaging routine, such as before or after bathing, changing nappies, etc. However, always observe your baby’s cues during massaging. If he gets irritated, then you should stop massaging him right away.
Tummy Time
We started our newborn’s tummy time after falling off her umbilical stump, which is around ten days after her birthday. When her belly button fully healed, she started tummy time slowly. We practiced it once daily, sometimes putting her belly on my chest or using a soft, squishy pillow. At first, I was afraid of her practicing tummy time because I thought it would be a challenging activity for her. However, I didn’t push her, and eventually, after three months, she loved being in the tummy time position more than lying flat on her back. You can also induce this practice slowly and gently. Tummy time is a great activity that makes newborns’ muscles stronger and helps them relieve gas problems.
Mirror Shows
Your little one may not like tummy time, but that’s okay. You can make your newborn’s tummy time enjoyable by placing a small standing mirror in front of him. Looking at himself in the mirror would be a new experience for him. However, in my case, my little one wasn’t interested in looking at herself in the mirror in her newborn stage (though now, in her toddler phase, she loves talking in front of the mirror more than any activity). As every baby is different, who knows? Your little one may find this activity fascinating.
Swinging
Swinging helps newborns stay calm, facilitates a soothing experience, and gives your hand some freedom to do something apart from baby things. But you shouldn’t keep your baby inside the swing when she is sleeping. Sleeping in baby swings has been linked to higher risks of injury, flat spots on heads, and several accidental issues. Swinging would be entertaining for a newborn during her waking period. According to the advice of AAP, we usually put our newborn in a swing for an average of 30 minutes, up to two times a day.
Carrying a baby in a baby carrier
It might not be an activity for a baby in that sense; however, it’s an excellent opportunity for you to free your hand. As your baby was swaddled inside the amniotic sac throughout the nine months, carrying your baby inside a newborn-supported baby carrier would mimic that warm environment. This touch-based activity helps newborns remain calm during their growth spurt. You should position your baby carefully while carrying her and be alert. This is one of the best systems that helps moms finish their unfinished chores.
Reading
It was my favorite activity whenever I lost words to talk with my little one. I read different kid stories to my little one in infant-directed speech (IDS) style by maintaining eye contact with her. She didn’t understand the stories clearly. However, it helped her understand communication. She also enjoyed all the attention while listening to stories from her mother.
Body in the Air Ride
This activity is excellent for helping your newborn relieve their gas. Just do a tummy time where your baby’s tummy is on your palm and your elbow supports your baby’s face and neck portion. After that, if you feel confident enough, you can give your baby an air ride by moving him from one side to another. If this feels uncomfortable, you can skip this ride. Also, you can use your thigh as a support instead of your palm.
Taking a Walk
You have probably burned out if you don’t want to do any of the mentioned activities. To rejuvenate yourself, walk outside in the fresh air with your newborn. This will elevate your energy level and refresh your mind. You can use a baby carrier or stroller, depending on your preference. Being outside is indeed a pleasant activity for your little one, too.
That’s it.
You now have many fun ideas you can implement while spending time with your newborn in their waking window. The most fascinating part is that no activity needs any toys.
Please share this article with new mothers and ask them which activities their little ones like the most.
Have questions?
Reach out to us, and we will do our best to help.
