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Granted, your new baby is not yet old enough to play catch, put that doesn't mean you can't play together. . .for now you'll just have to play 'baby' games.
Don't be afraid to touch your baby. Just remember to always support their head and neck and be gentle. When playing with your newborn never handle it roughly, and never shake or toss an infant.
Sight
Babies can see from the moment of birth, but are born without fully developed retinas. Due to this, they can only see clearly things that are about 7-8 inches away from them.
Objects further away from them then that tend to appear as blobs. Yet, by using their other senses, such as smell, they can often identify between people, even at great distances. Some studies have indicated that they can identify their mothers simply by the smell of their milk!
A fun game to play with a newborn is to take a soft toy and hold it close to the baby's face. Slowly pull it back; watch how your baby's face changes. Now bring it back closer where the baby can see it clearly – some newborns get a real 'kick' out of playing this game and will squeal with delight every time the toy comes into focus.
Hearing
From birth babies can hear and differentiate between sounds. They prefer soft sounds. Sing and talk gently to your baby. Play soothing music, classical music has been shown to enhance mental development.
It's never too soon to start reading to your child. Take your baby in your arms, relax in a rocker, and read aloud. Read anything, at this stage the all-important thing is the sound of your voice. The baby will find your voice and the close contact with you soothing.
Massaging your Infant
Newborns have a highly developed sense of touch, and they enjoy and need physical contact for proper emotional development. Use your fingertips to stroke your baby, or gently rub its arms and legs. Infant massage is useful in calming an infant when it is upset or ill. Massage has also been shown to enhance motor development in infants.
Bath Time
After your baby's belly button has healed, you can begin to give him an occasional bath.
When giving a bath, fill a small tub with about 3 inches of warm water (about 90° F.) You may want to place a towel or rubber mat in the bottom of the tub for your baby to lie on. Maintain a firm grip upon the baby at all times. They are very slippery when wet! Take care that the baby does not become cold.
You may find that your baby really enjoys bath time.
Babies' version of playtime
As a newborn develops, their interests grow. Whereas a one month old is easily entertained by a mobile, a three month old may find amusement in throwing something on the ground and watching mommy pick it up.
How you play with your newborn, and how your newborn interacts with you will depend a great deal upon its unique character.
Experiment with different activities. Make a game out of every activity you do with your baby. Have fun introducing your baby to the brand new world that it finds itself in. Most important – relax. The essential elements of playing with are newborn are:
Playtime provides you with an opportunity to bond with your child. In addition, it is an essential element in the growth and development of a happy, healthy baby.
Always consult your doctor for medical advice.
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