Freshbabysmell

or taking walks in the garden while you water the plants. It is worth investing in a good baby carrier so that you can be with your baby while having your hands free for your tasks. These general activities are important playtime as the sensory stimulation of the smells, sights and sounds around her will set the foundation for good sensory awareness and integration. The movement of walking in your arms around the house will also assist with her movement integration, calm state and visual tracking.

ENGAGING WITH BABY

Yes, your little one may seem like just a bundle of flailing arms, jerky movements and not much head control, but she is receptive to you and what you have to offer. Play at this stage is focused on your engagement with your baby. The lesson for you is to be in the moment and connect with your baby. This is an important skill for both of you, as the more connected and understood you and your baby feel, the better it will be for her social and cognitive development (and for your emotional wellbeing).

How do you do this? Just be yourself. Have fun and talk to your baby while you’re changing her nappy and tell her what you are doing every step of the way, tell her about your day, the weather, any visitors you may be expecting or what you think you’ll be having for dinner. Although this may not seem like real play, the chatting and eye contact with your baby will introduce her to socialising and stimulate her language development. Be sure to also show her your smile, laugh and funny faces to entice her even more. Allow your baby time to gurgle and coo in response and copy the sounds she is making. This will help set the stage for reciprocal play and turn taking.

PATIENCE

More than anything, parenting a newborn is about patience. Everything takes time – packing up for a short trip to the shops takes half an hour, burping seems to take a whole night and the days at times seem to have a few extra hours in them. Having said this, patience during your baby’s awake time allows you to open up to the joy of being in the moment with your baby. When changing your baby have her follow your face from side to side, and when you feed allow her to look at geometric designs or “read” a book together while she suckles. These simple activities will make the routine tasks more interesting for you both. Through it all, keep up the smiling and funny faces, the tickling and the massage, allowing your baby to experience love and joy in her early weeks of life. Before you know it, that long awaited smile from her will be there – a nod from baby that you have done more than just fine in these early days. YB

It is important because it is the foundation of all sensory and motor skills throughout life. “The moment babies are born they start learning how to move their little bodies outside of the secure environment of the womb. They need to learn to use their necks, shoulders and arm muscles – and this all happens with tummy time,” adds Sr Hettie. “Consistent tummy time is one of the biggest contributing factors for improved motor function and development.”

It prepares baby for rolling over (at around four months of age) and for crawling. It also encourages head control. When your baby starts to communicate (through vocalisations or facial expression) that she is ready to transition out of tummy time, gently tuck one arm underneath the chest and roll your baby onto her side and then onto her back, suggests Sr Hettie.

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8Safety is always of paramount importance! Never leave your baby unattended during tummy time. Stay with her and keep her engaged, which is why it’s best to do tummy time when your baby is awake and alert. Also make sure that there are no small objects within reach that she can swallow.

9your tummy.” Pick her up afterwards to cuddle and hug.

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