Baby Games for A Newborn Infant

Playing With A One to Three Month Old

Jul 29, 2007 Angela England

Many new parents wonder, "What does the baby want to play?" The answer is, most of the time, your baby wants to play games with YOU!

• Fun Foot Baby Games – Newborn babies have a stepping reflex that is fun to play with. Hold your baby under the arms (grasping around the chest firmly - not cranking on delicate shoulder joints) and “stand” him in an upright position on the floor. When the baby's foot touches the ground he'll lift it up, lowering the other foot as though walking. This baby reflex fades after about two months so enjoy the baby game while it lasts.
• Hand Baby Games – Newborns have a strong grasp reflex and love to play hand games. Lay your baby on her back (floor or lap), and let her grasp your fingers. Lift her arms gently, describing your motions in sing-song voice, “Up, Down. In, Out”. She loves your higher-pitched voice. She'll begin to associate the word with the motion as you play variations of this game over the next several months.
• Voice Game Fun – Your baby recognizes your voice and prefers your voice over strangers. This makes for fun baby games. Call your baby from his right, or left and watch him turn his head to look at you. Talk to your baby about your daily life, describing your actions, “Now Mommy is washing dirty socks. One sock.....two sock....” It's not important what you say – just that you spend time talking to them.
• Movement Baby Games – This is a great game to play with your baby to help them get used to being on their back and stomach. Start baby on her back and chant through this rhythm as you do the motions: “Rub a baby belly – pat, pat, pat. Rub a baby belly – just like that!” Then roll the baby over gently onto her belly. “Rrrooooooll over baby!” “ Rub a baby back – pat, pat, pat....” etc. Once your baby learns what is coming next she will anticipate the exaggerated “Rrrooooooll Over!”.
• Baby Sound Games – Babies are masters at making “impolite” noises. And what fun it is to play along! Your baby is a great excuse to blow bubbles, make raspberries, kissy-noises and lip buzzes. He will delight in trying to mimic you as you both explore the variety of noises and expressions you can make together.
• Floor Time Baby Games – Belly time is an important precursor to crawling, helps develop back muscles used in sitting and walking as well as helping to prevent flat spots from too much time spent on the back. Lie down on the floor in front of your baby and encourage her to look at you. “Peek a Boo” becomes a fun exercise game as she lifts her head to look at you. (Note: Always put your baby to sleep on her back – play this game during awake times.)
• Singing Baby Games – You baby enjoys hearing you sing personalizing familiar songs is easy. For example – “Rain, Rain Go Away” became “Evan, I love you. I really, really love you. Every day – night and day. Evan, Momma loves you.” Even as a nearly three years old toddler, this song never fails to bring a smile to his face because the repetition of this singing game has made it so familiar to him. See more about infants and music.

Resources:

“The Baby Book: Everything you Need to Know About Your Baby From Birth to Age Two” (2003) by William Sears, M.D. And Martha Sears, R.N.

“Games to Play with Babies” (1993) by Jackie Silberg

“Heading Home with Your Newborn” (2005) by Laura A. Jana, M.D. And Jennifer Shu, M.D. With the American Academy of Pediatrics

“97 Ways to Make a Baby Laugh” by Jack Moore and Penny Gentieu

The copyright of the article Baby Games for A Newborn Infant in Infants & Toddlers is owned by Angela England. Permission to republish Baby Games for A Newborn Infant in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

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Nov 29, 2008 4:12 PM

Guest :

My three month old is not interested in the toys for her level she likes the toys for five year olds better should I just let her play with those instead?

Dec 4, 2008 5:43 AM

Angela England :

Absolutely! Children develop at different paces in different areas. After all - your baby is a unique individual with strengths and weaknesses just like anyone else. :-)

In my own family this was very evident since my first two children were born only 18 months apart. My son was always a bit ahead of the "average" in physical skills, while a bit "behind" in verbal skills. With my daughter it is the exact opposite.

Remember that averages are just that - a gross average with a wide range of normal on either side. Obviously if you have a concern you should speak with your pediatrician about it. Especially if you notice your baby not responding to your voice or not able to focus well on your face by about 3 months old.

But usually I just let my baby dictate what types of games they most enjoy playing with.

Mar 12, 2009 7:08 PM

Angela England :

An excellent reminder was just emailed to me to remind parents to watch out for choking hazards whenever giving toys to your children. Of course this includes toys no matter what age they are rated for, in addition to common household items. Coins, hotdogs, nuts, even small pieces of cereal, can all be chocking hazards for young children. This is true regardless of the age of your baby or the environment they are in. It's also another important reason to play WITH your baby rather than leaving them to fend for themselves. By supervising your baby's play time they won't have the time to choke on an unseen hazard.
Angela <><

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