WHEN IS “TUMMY TIME”
OKAY?
When your baby is awake,
and is being watched, it’s
good to give him some playtime
on his tummy.
“Tummy time” gives your baby these benefits:
■ Helps him develop his back and neck muscles
■ Helps prevent flattening of the back of the head that occurs when babies spend a lot of time on their backs
■ Helps him learn to shift his weight to reach for a toy or look around— which helps him roll, crawl, pull to a stand, and walk earlier Try to give your baby some tummy time each day—starting with just a few minutes and building up from there. But remember, if your baby falls sleep, gently place him on his back.
INTERACTING Interacting with your newborn is one of the most important things you can do. It encourages his development and helps him feel loved and secure. Interact with your baby by giving him experience with all of his senses. Normal newborns can see, hear, feel, smell, taste, suck, swallow, follow with their eyes a short distance, and distinguish sounds. Newborns also show interest in human faces and voices. Infant development studies show that newborns can understand and learn. There are many ways you can interact with your baby.
■ Talk and sing to your baby.
■ Give him musical toys, brightly colored toys, or a mobile for him to follow with his eyes.
■ Smile and play with your baby.
■ Try to establish eye contact.
■ Stroke, pat, massage, and rock him.
■ Make bathing, changing, and feeding times special. You can help your baby learn more and you can enjoy her more by understanding her development. Your baby is an individual who will learn faster in some areas and slower in others. Don’t try to push or rush your baby. Allow her to develop at her own pace.
From birth to 2½ months, newborns can focus best on black and white objects. Pictures such as these are good to show your baby:
IF YOUR BABY HAS A BROTHER OR SISTER Often, older siblings have a hard time with a new baby at home. They may experience feelings of jealousy or rivalry about the new baby. Some regress to earlier behaviors, such as bed-wetting. They may request a bottle when they notice that the new baby is getting a lot of attention.
You can help older siblings adjust to your newborn with the following strategies:
■ Even before you bring the new baby home, reassure older brothers and sisters that they are just as important to you, even though the new baby will take a lot of time and attention.
■ Give siblings extra love and try to spend some special time with them.
■ Read to them while you feed the baby, and help them hold or examine the new baby. (They might need constant supervision and reminders that the baby is not a doll or a toy.)
■ Give siblings a doll to care for. Having their own “baby” to care for may ease their jealousy
“Tummy time” gives your baby these benefits:
■ Helps him develop his back and neck muscles
■ Helps prevent flattening of the back of the head that occurs when babies spend a lot of time on their backs
■ Helps him learn to shift his weight to reach for a toy or look around— which helps him roll, crawl, pull to a stand, and walk earlier Try to give your baby some tummy time each day—starting with just a few minutes and building up from there. But remember, if your baby falls sleep, gently place him on his back.
INTERACTING Interacting with your newborn is one of the most important things you can do. It encourages his development and helps him feel loved and secure. Interact with your baby by giving him experience with all of his senses. Normal newborns can see, hear, feel, smell, taste, suck, swallow, follow with their eyes a short distance, and distinguish sounds. Newborns also show interest in human faces and voices. Infant development studies show that newborns can understand and learn. There are many ways you can interact with your baby.
■ Talk and sing to your baby.
■ Give him musical toys, brightly colored toys, or a mobile for him to follow with his eyes.
■ Smile and play with your baby.
■ Try to establish eye contact.
■ Stroke, pat, massage, and rock him.
■ Make bathing, changing, and feeding times special. You can help your baby learn more and you can enjoy her more by understanding her development. Your baby is an individual who will learn faster in some areas and slower in others. Don’t try to push or rush your baby. Allow her to develop at her own pace.
From birth to 2½ months, newborns can focus best on black and white objects. Pictures such as these are good to show your baby:
IF YOUR BABY HAS A BROTHER OR SISTER Often, older siblings have a hard time with a new baby at home. They may experience feelings of jealousy or rivalry about the new baby. Some regress to earlier behaviors, such as bed-wetting. They may request a bottle when they notice that the new baby is getting a lot of attention.
You can help older siblings adjust to your newborn with the following strategies:
■ Even before you bring the new baby home, reassure older brothers and sisters that they are just as important to you, even though the new baby will take a lot of time and attention.
■ Give siblings extra love and try to spend some special time with them.
■ Read to them while you feed the baby, and help them hold or examine the new baby. (They might need constant supervision and reminders that the baby is not a doll or a toy.)
■ Give siblings a doll to care for. Having their own “baby” to care for may ease their jealousy
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