Five Easy Games to Play with Your Newborn Baby

There was a time in American life when mothers learned how to mother their children because their mothers lived down the street or at least in the same town. And older mothers at churches and in communities were respected and looked up to for advice and counsel. New and expectant mothers knew they had a vast support system that began right in their own community, at church, in the neighborhood or village square and all around town. Todays' expectant mothers often have to rely on written advice or internet articles to help them learn the "art of mothering".

Playing with our babies is one of the many mothering skills that old mothers have learned to do with charm and pleasure. But we also knew instinctively we were teaching some important child development skills with those simple games, songs and activities. These days mothers and fathers alike share the work and the joy of "mothering" or the correct term to use in learning these techniques would be parenting.

Newborn parenting games

He doesn't look like he can do much does he, your newborn baby? You're almost afraid to touch him, but don't be. The tiny baby in your arms needs you to begin leading him down the road to adulthood already. He can't see much beyond a foot or so from his face, but he knows your are there by your smell, your touch and the sound of your voice.

You are the first and most important link to his world. Don't be afraid to hold him too much. Just enjoy this time of cuddling and snuggling and getting to know each other. Rock and sing gently. Stand and dance around the room, swaying softly to the sound of soft classical music. Move gently and slowly, not sharply and fast. This isn't the time for tossing or throwing games. Babies heads are way too heavy and real damage can to done to babies handled too roughly at this stage of life. Gentle, gentle, slow and softly are the most important handling tips for newborn babies.

Open those fists up and rattle!

Slowly he will begin to control his flailing muscles and an easy "game" to play with him at around two months is to help him open up his clenched little baby fists. You can do that by placing a small rattle in his hand and letting her grasp it. Her little fingers will close right back around but she'll know she has something in her hand. She'll feel it. She won't shake it on purpose yet, but the instinctive movements she make will let her feel the weight and the touch of the object. Don't shake it loudly in her face, let her manipulate the rattle as she grows in the next few months. As he grows, he will begin to reach out and grasp the rattle on his own and manipulate it and eventually at some point, he'll open and give you the rattle.

Play Ribbons, Beads and Cloths

Another good play activity for the 2-3 months old baby is to hold a danging object over her chest above her and slowly lower it toward her hands. Soft pieces of cloth and ribbon work well for this or a large string of soft plastic beads or wooden beads. There are all sorts of fancy toys you can prop your baby under at this age that do the same thing, but they aren't necessary or really even good.

Your baby learns best by your feedback and your active participation in their playtime. Set aside time when they are fed, clean and between naps to have "play time" together. As you dip and sway your ribbons or brightly colored cloths or scarves, lower them toward the baby, let it graze or touch her hand, then draw it back up and watch her face. Use good eye contact and then lower the material or ribbon or beads again. She won't be able to reach out and grasp yet, but ..one day she will! And it will surprise you. You will be so excited, you'll tell everyone you talk to that day. Hey, baby Joe grabbed and held on to his play ribbons!

Funny faces

This play game seems like one that all parents would know instinctively but not everyone is comfortable with it. We feel silly, and aren't for sure what kind of things are baby is learning by our silly funny faces. They're learning so much by a mommy or daddy, who sits in front of them and uses their whole face in fun ways. Smile big, and sing a silly song. Move your mouth around and watch them try to move theirs to match. They will by about 3 months! This is where the tried and true best ever Peek a boo game comes from. While they won't get it yet or laugh like they will from 4 months on..they will be learning.Hey, here she is, now where did she go..oh..there she is..and so on until slowly baby person learns that Mommy or Daddy always come back! They have no way of understanding or knowing that fact. We have to help teach them. Other facial expressions you can try as you gently talk or sing to baby are sticking your tongue out and raise your eyebrows or wrinkle your nose up.

Cradle songs

There are so many wonderful cherished cradle songs. Every family may have unique ones they have handed down. Here are two of our families favorites and how we play with them with our babies.

Did you ever see a Lassie?

Did you ever see a Lassie, a lassie, a lassie

Did you ever see a lassie go this way and that?

(As you sing the words above, use your fingers to move across the babies arms and tummy, not tickling but kind of walking them across and around)

Go this way and that way, got this way and that way

Did you ever see a Lassie go this way and that?

All of our children learned that one and I've seen them sing it to their own and other children!

Twinkle Twinkle Little Star is another favorite cradle song at our house.

With the baby lying on his back, move your hands and arms so he can see you move as you see the song's words.

Twinkle twinkle little star

(Hold your hands up, opening and closing your fingers)

how I wonder where you are!

(take finger and gently poke baby in tummy, pointing at her)

Up above the sky so high

(point upward)

like a diamond in the sky

Twinkle twinkle little star,

(again open and close your fingers)

how I wonder where you are

(again pointing at baby (you)

Don't be afraid to sing to your baby, even if you can't carry a tune. I remember my husband, an excellent vocalist, teasing me about singing Hush Little Baby to my babies. He said, "Aren't you afraid you're going to ruin their ear for music.? " Obviously I didn't, because they surpassed their Dad in vocal accomplishments as singers and musicians all!

Movement play

There are tried and true classics like dancing with baby, or gently rocking in chair, or swaying baby back and forth in your arms, but there are some fun movement games that newborn babies might like, especially as they get closer to 2/3 months of age.

Because newborn babies heads are so heavy, we need to support them very securely during any type of movement game. Shaken baby syndrome is a real thing and you can read about it here!

But gentle supportive movement is a lot of fun for babies. They were used to your constant movement while they were in the womb; it's why moving around with them calms them down when they are upset.

Sitting up game

Place your baby on a blanket in front of you. Then grasp the edges beside his head with both hands, one on either side of his head and gently sit him up. The blanket will support his head and as you bring your arms up, he will sit up! Then gently lower him again, all the time maintaining eye contact with him.

With all games and play times, if the baby cries or becomes upset, stop and change activity or offer hugs and calming movement. Don't attempt play times when baby is sleepy, hungry, tired, or needs cleaning.

But after all the chores of caring for your baby are finished, make time for play time each day.