You might not realise it but the small, everyday activities you do in the early days with your baby are hugely beneficial for their development and can strengthen your bond with one another.
Each time you interact and they respond, maybe with a gurgle, babble and wiggle, you’re helping their language and communication skills and their physical development too.
And you benefit too, says Inge Nickell, Director of the Brazelton Centre UK, a national charity promoting an understanding of newborn babies’ communication.
“These interactions give you a window into their unique ways of communicating and help you identify their different behaviours,” Inge explains.
“Although they can’t speak, you can trust what your baby tells you through their movements, sounds and responses – they can’t mask these. People often say that they wish their baby came with a manual. But in effect, they tell you everything you need to know, you just need learn how to read them.”
It’s important to remember that the bond with your baby is unique and can take time to build.
But the more time you spend together, the more you understand each other and so your bond blossoms, explains Inge. “When your baby feels you understand and respond to them, they feel safe and secure and you’ll feel more confident too.”
And forget high-tech toys: you are your baby’s best source of entertainment. “Your baby thrives on eye contact, being held close, seeing faces and hearing voices,” adds Inge.
Try these simple and quick daily activities to bond with your baby during the first year…
1. Spend time face to face
Babies find faces fascinating but for the first two months of their lives, their vision is quite blurry, so get up close.
2. Chat… about anything and everything
Even everyday routines like nappy changes are a rich opportunity to connect. Talk to your little one as much as possible. Don’t worry about what you say but how you say it – use gestures, repeat words and make sure your baby can see your face.
3. Enjoy cuddle time
Cuddles are beneficial for you and your baby: they help release oxytocin, the love hormone, so you’ll both get that warm, fuzzy feeling.
4. Try baby massage
Add songs, stories and name their body parts as you massage gently. It’s comforting for your baby and a great way for them to learn about themselves.
6. Follow their lead
Talk about the sights and sounds that grab your baby’s attention, repeating words to reinforce what you're saying. When they’re a little older, try a point and name game.
7. Get outdoors
It’ll boost your wellbeing and give you and your baby plenty of new things to chat about.
8. Sing your heart out
Singing is a great way to have fun with your baby – and it teaches them about the rhythm of talking. Slow down so your child can process the words and join in when they’re a little older.
9. Get moving
Baby workouts with simple exercises like arm raises and leg extensions help your little one’s physical development.
10. Have a boogie
Dancing, bopping and swaying with your baby helps their physical and brain development – and builds your mutual connection.
11. Try sensory play
Stimulate all your baby’s senses with simple activities like splashing water and crinkling bottles.
12. Make music together
Simple DIY musical instruments and toys like drums and shakers are amazing for focusing your baby's attention and practising rhythms.
13. Blow raspberries
Take turns so your baby learns about the back-and-forth pattern of conversations. It’ll also help them develop the tongue and lip control to make speech sounds.
14. Pull silly faces
Use your face to entertain your baby – and give them time to respond: they’ll try to copy you and you can copy them back too.
15. Blow some bubbles
Bubbles are a thing of wonder for little ones as they float and reflect light – try blowing some and see how your baby responds.
16. Try peekaboo
Babies are endlessly amused by peekaboo and it’s great for their development too.
17. Play ‘What’s in the bag?’
Take a pillowcase or bag and fill it with ordinary items. Pull them out one by one and name them – your baby is guaranteed to love the surprise.
18. Put on a puppet show
Create a simple puppet by drawing or sticking a face on a sock, put on a funny voice and see how your baby responds.
19. Enjoy tummy time
Short amounts of time lying on their tummies is brilliant for your little one’s physical development and it’s also a fab time to talk, as it gives them a different view of the world.
21. Entertain with paper
Ripping or scrunching paper is a sensory experience for babies and when they’re older, try interactive games using paper and cardboard boxes.
20. Play 'Ready, Steady, Go!'
Anticipation games are brilliant for boosting your baby's attention and listening skills.
22. Have bathtime fun
Bathing your baby isn’t only a way to wind down but an opportunity for them to hear new words. Use descriptive words like 'splash' and ‘drip’ to help them link words and their meaning.
23. Bring toys to life
Dolls and teddies are great props you can talk to your baby about – for example, use them to name body parts. And when their eyesight is more developed, try a fun game of hide and seek to help their interaction and communication skills.
24. Look at other faces
To make the most of your baby’s face fascination, draw faces and talk about them, or show them a photobook of friends and family.
25. Make feeding times fun
Use this one-to-one time to sing and chat as you feed your baby. Once they’re weaning, use mealtimes to develop their communication skills by chatting about the taste and textures of foods.
