Playing with older kids is easy. You pull out the toys, chase them around the house, or make mud pies outside. You can tell them stories, tickle them, or pull out the play dough. While babies aren’t as interactive, they still need the stimulation and bonding time with you.
Here are some things that baby Kristopher and I do together after he’s been fed, burped, changed, bathed,
and napped:
and napped:
Read board/children’s books. The Baby may not understand a word I’m saying, but he loves hearing my
voice. He’s learning to love books and he’s enjoying looking at the bright colored pictures. This is building
a habit and as he gets older, his vocabulary will grow, he’ll learn proper sentence structure, and he’s learning
how to read out loud (raises in tone, pauses, etc.)
voice. He’s learning to love books and he’s enjoying looking at the bright colored pictures. This is building
a habit and as he gets older, his vocabulary will grow, he’ll learn proper sentence structure, and he’s learning
how to read out loud (raises in tone, pauses, etc.)
Dance. When baby K was really little, I’d hold him in the cradle position to protect his neck. I turn on some
music - baby lullabies, Disney songs, or crazy country - and we twirl and rock it out. He loves this!
music - baby lullabies, Disney songs, or crazy country - and we twirl and rock it out. He loves this!
Mommy and me exercise. I found a workout on YouTube that little Kris and I really enjoy. One thing I love
about working out with your baby is that your muscles grow with your baby. Little Kris loves being in my
arms while I do squats and lunges. The only part he doesn’t like is when it comes to the mat workout section
and he has to lay on the floor. :-)
about working out with your baby is that your muscles grow with your baby. Little Kris loves being in my
arms while I do squats and lunges. The only part he doesn’t like is when it comes to the mat workout section
and he has to lay on the floor. :-)
Sing and/or play the piano. I found from very early on when nothing would soothe my baby, that he’d calm
down if I started singing. I wonder if it was because I played the piano and sang a lot during my pregnancy.
In the early weeks after he was born when I was trying to stretch the time between feedings, I would sit
down and plunk out the melody of a hymn with one hand while holding Kristopher with the other and sing a
few songs. It always did the trick. I still try to sing with him every day. If I put him in the baby carrier, both hands
are free and I can play other songs as well, which he enjoys, too.
down if I started singing. I wonder if it was because I played the piano and sang a lot during my pregnancy.
In the early weeks after he was born when I was trying to stretch the time between feedings, I would sit
down and plunk out the melody of a hymn with one hand while holding Kristopher with the other and sing a
few songs. It always did the trick. I still try to sing with him every day. If I put him in the baby carrier, both hands
are free and I can play other songs as well, which he enjoys, too.
Interactive songs (Pattycake, Clap Your Hands, etc.). I know a lot of silly kids songs, but I’m trying to learn
sweet/Christian songs as well.
sweet/Christian songs as well.
Baby Massage. When Kristopher was a baby, my midwife suggested we rub him with coconut oil since
he had dry skin. He loved this time! This is a wonderful bonding time, as well.
he had dry skin. He loved this time! This is a wonderful bonding time, as well.
Read your books aloud to him. I read a lot, so why not include my baby? I pretty much only read while nursing
and I try to read out loud especially while doing my devotions.
and I try to read out loud especially while doing my devotions.
Let baby see himself in the mirror. Little Kris was about 2 months old when I did this and he thought it was
so funny! He gives himself big open mouth smiles and giggles and it’s the cutest thing ever!
so funny! He gives himself big open mouth smiles and giggles and it’s the cutest thing ever!
Lay baby on his back between two chairs and string toys above him. My little man is at the stage where
he reaches and bats at hanging toys. It’s so cute!
he reaches and bats at hanging toys. It’s so cute!
Place baby in a bumbo or bouncer and work around him, all the while interacting and talking with him. I do
this while folding laundry, cooking dinner, washing dishes, or vacuuming
this while folding laundry, cooking dinner, washing dishes, or vacuuming
Tummy time. I either lay bright toys in front of baby, or lay down beside him and interact with him, encouraging
him to raise his head and strengthen those neck muscles.
him to raise his head and strengthen those neck muscles.
And finally, I’m learning that it’s okay to let my baby have time by himself lying in a bouncer. Children need
to learn to entertain themselves and not always rely on mom or dad for that. And just like adults, little people
need down time, too.
to learn to entertain themselves and not always rely on mom or dad for that. And just like adults, little people
need down time, too.
Little Kris and I have so much fun spending time together! I’m looking forward to when he’s a little bigger
and all the fun things we will be able to do together, but for now I’m savoring this wonderful season. This baby
has stolen our hearts and I couldn’t imagine life without him now!
and all the fun things we will be able to do together, but for now I’m savoring this wonderful season. This baby
has stolen our hearts and I couldn’t imagine life without him now!
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