How to Stimulate a Newborn's Senses

She's arrived! As you get to know your newborn, and as she works to adjust to life outside the womb, there are many ways you can help her tune into the world around her. (The following information has been adapted from Dr. Segal's book series, "Your Child at Play.")

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Baby Mobiles
• Music
• Baby Rattles

1. Get a mobile: When your baby is quiet and awake, her eyes will follow its movements, helping to awaken her interest in the world outside her crib. A musical mobile is especially pleasing to an infant.
2. Cover a penlight with red or yellow cellophane and move the light slowly from side to side. At first your baby will just look at it for a second, but after a while she will learn to follow it with her eyes.
3. Encourage imitation: Try sticking out your tongue. Some 2- and 3-week-old infants will be able to follow your lead.
4. Hang a wind chime where your baby can watch it move and listen to the sound. She'll learn to associate a pleasant sight with a pleasant sound.
5. Play music and dance with your baby. She'll enjoy the familiar rocking movements she felt for so long in the womb.
6. Shake a rattle, first on one side of her head and then the other. Shake slowly and then vigorously. After a while your baby will recognize that the sound she hears comes from somewhere outside herself and begin to search for it. If the rattle distresses your baby, try a quieter one.

Tips & Warnings

• Speak with your pediatrician if you have any worries or concerns about your newborn's behavior or development.