Baby Dressing Games

Playing games as you dress your baby puts less stress on you both

Babies sometimes allow you to tug things over their heads or stuff their arms and legs into shirts, pants and coats without a big fuss. However, babies can grow tired and cranky, wanting to be left alone. There are times, too, when they don't want to wear anything, especially during warmer times of the year. Turning dressing into a game time not only lets you dress babies without much fuss, but also makes dressing fun.

Choo-Choo Train

Babies don't always like having their arms and little legs tucked into sleeves and pant legs that restrict their movements. One way to turn dressing into a game is to play choo-choo train with your baby. As you slip on a shirt with sleeves, tug gently and slowly on your baby's arm saying, "Choo. Choo." Move the arm slowly back and forth. Say "Choo-choo." Move the other arm. Start slow and build steam as you move a little faster. Never tug too hard on your baby's arm, but move your baby's arms back and forth with the "choo-choo" sound. After your baby is giggling and enjoying the game, deftly slip first one, then the other of your baby's arms through the shirt sleeves, all while continuing to say "choo-choo." You can do something similar to get little active legs into pants.

The Airplane Solution

Some babies dislike the tightness and feel of shirts coming down over their heads. They may wriggle, stiffen or cry. Even after the shirt settles onto the baby's shoulders, your baby may stay cranky. Turn this into a game by playing airplane. Show the garment to your baby. Rub it against her cheek. Next, "fly" around the room with the garment in your hand. Fly the garment right to baby's head and quickly slip it on. Pick up your baby for a quick "fly" around the room.

Peek-A-Boo

Putting on winter wear with thick coats, hats and blankets can be a trial for parents and babies. Minimize stress for both you and your baby by playing peek-a-boo as you dress your baby for rain, wind or snow, the BabyCenter website suggests. Instead of simply putting the coat on your baby, put it in front of your face. "Where's Mommy?" A second or two later, show your face and say, "Peek-a-boo." Use first for the coat, then the hat and finally the blanket for peek-a-boo moments. As you put the articles of clothing on your baby, act as though he's hiding. Flip the edge of the blanket over his face a moment saying, "Where is baby?" Then flip back the blanket and say, "Peek-a-boo. There you are." Before your baby realizes the situation, he's dressed and ready to travel.

Tummy Tickle

Babies have ticklish tummies. When your baby fusses while you try to dress her, lean down and blow on her tummy. Make your sound loud. The action startles and tickles your baby and usually produces giggles. Intersperse, tummy tickles with getting your baby dressed. Instead of resisting getting dressed, your baby with associate dressing times with game time.

References

• Baby Center: Let's Play! Hide and Peak & Clap, Clap Your Hands