How to Stimulate Your Newborn

She's arrived! As your newborn adjusts to the world outside the womb and you adjust to parenting, there are many ways to spur on her physical development. (The following information has been adapted from Dr. Segal's book series, Your Child at Play.")

Things You'll Need

• Baby Rattles

Instructions

1. Learn to judge how much holding your baby enjoys. Some babies get tense and irritable from too much handling; others become listless if they aren't held.

2. Place your baby in different positions when she's awake ' sometimes on her stomach and sometimes on her back. (Make sure to put her to sleep on her back; stomach sleeping has been linked to sudden infant death syndrome.)

3. Place your finger or a rattle in the palm of your baby's hand. Your baby will be able to practice her tight grip.

4. Place your baby on a firm surface without any covers, and give her some time to kick her feet and move her arms. If she begins to cry, try to calm her. If you can't, wait for another day for this exercise.

5. Massage your baby's head, fingers and shoulders while she's feeding, or give her a whole-body massage after her bath. Use firm, broad circular strokes.

6. Kiss your baby's tummy, toes and fingers while you're changing her diaper to help her develop an early awareness of her body parts.

Tips & Warnings

• Remember that every baby develops at a different pace, often with spurts and plateaus.

• Consult with your pediatrician if you're worried about your newborn's behavior or development.