Use your lap as a cradle and your voice as a lullaby. Sit in a chair with your baby on your thighs. Your baby’s head should be at your knees. Cradle baby’s head with your hands and gently rock your knees side to side as you sing.

 

 

With a brightly coloured object move it from one side of your baby’s line of vision to the other, and then up and down. Make sure that the object is no more than 12-15 inches away from baby’s face. Don’t forget to touch the baby with the object as well as this will stimulate his/her senses.

 

 

With a pure vegetable based oil, such as olive or grapeseed, gently massage baby’s arms and legs. Then move towards the torso and out to the sides. Make sure you engage baby in conversation. Don’t forget baby’s face, moving from the middle of the forehead , along the eyebrows, down the bridge of the nose to the corners of the mouth.

 

 

Lay baby down on a flat surface and gaze into his/her eyes. Smile, open your mouth, raise your eyebrows and stick out your tongue. Then go back to normal. Repeat. Baby may mimic you.

 

 

Close to the baby’s face, shake a rattle or toy that makes a noise. Laugh when you hear the noise. Shake it again a little to one side of the baby’s head, then the other. Tap her tummy with it. If he or she is interested, let her hold the object.

 

 

Stand in front of a large mirror holding your baby outwards so he or she can see themselves. Pointing at the reflection and say Who’s That Baby. Babies love to see themselves in the mirror and will more often than not, give a smile.

Gently place baby on a beach or exercise ball, with his/her  belly resting on the ball. Place your hands on baby’s hips and roll him/her back and forth.

 

 

Use a soft hand puppet and move it up and down, back and forth, and in a circle within baby’s line of vision. Get two and act out a little story for baby to enjoy.

 

 

-- Fran Matthews