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Expert Q&A
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| By iParenting Staff iParenting Staff Experts | ||
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My son is 8 weeks old and I'd like to know if there is some way for me to be more interactive with him. I'd love to play with him more -- even though I know our time will come soon. Although he's so young, is there anything I can do to stimulate him and have a little play time?
Babies from birth to 2 months old thrive on infant stimulation: general visual stimulation, general tactile stimulation and general auditory stimulation. Babies this age love repetition. A face directly in the line of Baby's vision will provide entertainment and socialization for a baby 6 weeks to 2 months old. Try this baby name rhyme:
My name is ...
My name is (your baby's name) ...
That's my name,
My name is ...
Always the same,
My name is ...
All the time,
My name is ...
And that's just fine!
Playing with Baby's hands and fingers is a wonderful way to stimulate your baby's tactile and auditory senses while allowing baby to grasp Mom's fingers. Touch each of your baby's fingers one at a time and sing:
(Sing to the tune of 'One Little, Two Little, Three Little Indians')
One little, two little, three little fingers,
Four little, five little, six little fingers,
Seven little, eight little, nine little fingers,
Ten little fingers make two small hands!
Repeat using toes!
The Kissy Game
A fun way to kiss and tickle baby's fingers and toes:
(Sing to the tune of 'Row, Row, Row Your Boat')
Kissy kissy fingers
Kissy kissy toes
Kissy kissy ... (your baby's name)
On your kissy nose!
I love to kiss your fingers,
I love to kiss your toes,
I love to kiss ... (your baby's name)
On your kissy nose!
Arms Across and Arms Apart
Lay your baby down on a blanket. Gently hold your baby's hands and cross their arms and open them while you sing:
(Sing to the tune of 'London Bridges Falling Down')
Arms across and arms apart
Arms across
Arms apart
Arms across and arms apart
Kiss the baby!!
Repeat with legs.
Babies are in their diapers for 99.9 percent of their newborn life! Babies thrive during "Naked Time and Massage." Spread out an old shower curtain, plastic drop sheet, plastic table cover, etc. Cover it with a blanket or towels ... something easy to clean just in case! Let Baby enjoy naked time for as long as he desires in a warm room setting. Just before bath is a great time, or right after a bowel movement. Try practicing some infant massage techniques using a little olive oil. Tell your baby you are going to massage them and ask for permission! (Yes -- even newborns!) Start at their feet -- make contact with both feet. Use light and gentle pressure and your thumbs in small circular movements. Continue with legs, arms, etc. Baby's tummy should always be massaged in a clockwise direction.
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