It is important to feel close to each other. You should talk to your baby about what you want to do. What sounds and textures does your baby like?
Create a relaxed environment where baby feels warm and comfortable. Remove all jewelry from your hands.
0 to 3 months
– Try laying the baby on his stomach and stroking him from the back of the head to the bottom. This should encourage the baby to hold his head up a bit longer.
– Lay the baby on his back. Show him a colorful toy. Once the baby has looked at it, slowly push him away and hide it behind his back, then show him the toy again. Once he’s focused on him, move him slowly, twist and shake him a bit, then hide him behind your back again making sure he’s following your movements. Keep repeating until the baby follows the toy with his head and finally with his hands.
– (approximately 2 months) For this exercise you will need two people. Lay a thick blanket on the floor and put the baby in the middle on his back: each person grabs two corners of the blanket and carefully lifts it off the floor. Move the blanket slowly and smoothly to the left and right. Babies really enjoy the different sensations that this gives them. The older and safer the baby is, the higher he can swing.
– Take a ball (about 10-13 inches in diameter) with a string tied to it and hold it over the baby’s feet (not over his head, as you don’t want to scare him). The baby should start kicking the ball; when he sees the movement, it should encourage him to kick some more.
With the same ball you can try:
– Lay your baby on the ball on his forehead so that his feet still touch the floor. It is important to hold the baby tightly and never let go. Move it slowly back and forth on the ball – this movement should encourage the baby to support his head and perhaps even push himself against the ground.
