Welcoming a newborn into your life brings a multitude of joys and discoveries. In the early months, as your baby undergoes remarkable changes, explore tailored activities and toy recommendations for the first three months. Keep in mind, every baby is unique, and these suggestions serve as gentle guides. Let’s dive into delightful ways to maximize your baby’s awake time, providing insights into various stages of early development.
1st Month
Activities
In the first month, babies typically don’t engage much with toys as most of their day is spent sleeping, feeding, and interacting. However, they enjoy listening to soft music and participating in interactions like singing and talking.
Face-to-face interaction, especially with caregivers, is crucial during this stage. While their vision is still developing, babies respond well to high-contrast patterns, so using black and white or bold, contrasting colors in soft toys or images is beneficial.
During the initial month, babies need a lot of nursing, comfort, and skin-on-skin contact with parents. Cuddling and providing a sense of security through close holding and responsive care are often the best entertainment for a 1-month-old.
2nd Month
Activities
- As babies enter their second month, placing them on a playmat with hanging toys helps them learn to use their hands by touching and making sounds.
- Engaging them through talking and singing is enjoyable for babies, and playing soft nature sounds or calming music in the background can create a soothing environment.
- Offering soft rattles or toys with gentle sounds, designed for newborns with no small parts, is recommended.
- Allowing exploration of different textures with soft fabrics or textured toys such as crinkly or cloth books, holding colorful objects at a short distance for them to focus on shapes and colors, and incorporating a baby-safe mirror during tummy time are engaging activities
- Cuddling remains crucial for providing comfort and warmth
- Going for a walk in a stroller for fresh air
- Spend time reading together, pointing out objects and making simple sounds to engage the baby
Recommended Toys
- Tummy time mats designed with attached toys and a mirror.
- Play gym with hanging simple and soft toys, including a safe-mirror toy and toys with movement and sounds.
- Gentle musical toys playing soft lullabies or calming tunes.
- High-contrast toys such as black-and-white or brightly colored images in books or cards.
- Different texture toys like crinkly toys, soft plush toys, and soft cloth books with high-contrast images, bright color, or simple patterns. Ensure they are free from small parts posing a choking hazard.
- Introduce them to baby books that help with language, visual and cognitive development. When choosing baby books, opt for sturdy board books with rounded corners and thick pages that can withstand enthusiastic handling and mouthing. Look for books with simple, high-contrast illustrations, rhyming text, and interactive elements that will capture your baby’s attention. Reading to them also provides bonding time and helps them recognize your voice as well.
3rd Month
Activities
- In the third month, daily tummy time remains essential for strengthening neck and upper body muscles.
- Offering soft, textured toys or rattles with contrasting colors aids in capturing their attention and developing hand coordination.
- Creating a safe and padded floor space for floor play, placing colorful and soft toys within reach, and incorporating hanging toys on a playmat enhance familiarity with using their hands.
- A baby swing or bouncer with a gentle rocking motion can provide a break for caregivers
- Experiment with loosely tying flying balloons to their hands or feet often brings joy.
- Going for a walk in a stroller is a refreshing outdoor activity.
- Spend time reading together, pointing out objects and making simple sounds to engage the baby
Recommended Toys
- Similar to the 2nd-month recommendations, including play gym, gentle musical toys, high-contrast toys, baby books, and different texture toys
- Offer soft teething toys if the baby is starting to teeth.
- Always prioritize your baby’s safety by choosing age-appropriate toys and activities.
Additionally, follow your baby’s cues, and if they seem tired or overstimulated, provide a quiet and calm environment for rest.