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.
Remember, there is no right or wrong way to play together with your baby – the important thing is to do SOMETHING together! You are your baby's favorite toy.
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 Infant/Toddler Play is owned by Angela England. Permission to republish Baby Games for A Newborn Infant must be granted by the author in writing.
