3 Ways to Play and Grow with Baby

November 16, 2022 Infant

It may not always seem like it, but your baby is doing important work in the first weeks and months of their life. As they play and move, they learn about the world around them through their senses, and get stronger to be ready for crawling, walking and more! Massage, tummy time and reaching and grabbing games are three fun ways to bond with your baby while exercising their brain, muscles and nervous system.

1. Infant Massage

BENEFITS:

Soothes and helps your baby sleep, and may help with constipation. Research suggests massage also supports a baby’s immune system. Adding a massage after a bath and before the last feeding can be the beginning of a comforting bedtime routine!

YOU’LL NEED:

Towel, warm room and baby lotion or an oil that’s safe to eat (like safflower or sunflower oil). Test for irritation by putting the oil or lotion on a small section of your baby’s skin and waiting a day.

HOW TO:

Find a warm, quiet room and talk to your baby in low soothing tones. Place your baby on your chest, bare skin to bare skin. Use gentle pressure to slowly stroke your baby’s back, but avoid massaging their neck. Gently rub and massage their feet and legs. If they don’t seem to like it, wait a few days and try again or start with a different area, like their arms. If you can, find a massage class with your baby or watch a few videos online from trusted sources (like WIC).

2. Tummy Time

BENEFITS:

Develops strength and coordination of the neck and upper body. Gives your baby practice balancing and using their muscles.

YOU’LL NEED:

Towel or mat and baby toys. Avoid thick bedding or blankets that can smother or cause suffocation.

HOW TO:

Before about 4-9 months your baby may not be able to push up on their elbows or hold their head up, so it can be helpful to ease them into tummy time. Any time they are working on holding their head or upper body up, that achieves the goals of tummy time. It begins when you burp them with their head on your shoulder and they begin to control their head and look around.

Next, putting your baby tummy down on your chest or tummy or carrying her tummy down provides her with a little more challenge. Games where you hold your baby up in the air helps them get stronger too. You can then put them on their tummy in a safe area and keep an eye on them. Get down on their level or have an older sibling get on the floor and smile and play with them. Try for about 60 minutes a day by 3-6 months. It’s okay to spread the time out over the day. If your baby is crawling or scooting, make sure the floor is clear of things they could choke or strangle on.

There’s so much talk about tummy time, but time playing ON THEIR BACK is important too! This allows them to explore their legs and feet and practice rolling!

3. Reaching and Grabbing

BENEFITS:

Stretches and strengthens muscles and improves coordination. Exploring toys with their mouth gets your baby’s mouth and tongue ready to handle solid foods.

YOU’LL NEED:

Towel or mat and baby toys. Avoid thick bedding or blankets that can smother or cause suffocation.

HOW TO:

Your baby’s first “toy” is you! Hold your clean hand in front of them and wiggle your fingers. Let your baby grab and pull in your hand. They may even gum or suck on your knuckles. While your baby is on their tummy (or back), hold a baby-safe toy just out of their reach. Let them grab it and explore with their hands and mouth. Chewing rings or toys with different textures are ideal.

Whether it’s massage or tummy time, always respond to your baby’s cues. If they are fussing or upset, try again another time. As the weeks go by, you’ll marvel at how much more they are able to do!

Side-Lying-Hold

Side-Lying Hold

  1. For the right breast, lie on your right side with your baby facing you.
  2. Pull your baby close. Your baby’s mouth should be level with your nipple.
  3. In this position, you can cradle your baby’s back with your left arm and support yourself with your right arm and/or pillows.
  4. Keep loose clothing and bedding away from your baby.
  5. Reverse for the left breast.

This hold is useful when:

  • You had a C-section
  • You want to rest while baby feeds
  • You are breastfeeding in the middle of the night
  • You and your baby are comfortable in this position
cross-cradle-hold-1

Cross-Cradle Hold

  1. For the right breast, use your left arm to hold your baby’s head at your right breast and baby’s body toward your left side. A pillow across your lap can help support your left arm.
  2. Gently place your left hand behind your baby’s ears and neck, with your thumb and index finger behind each ear and your palm between baby’s shoulder blades. Turn your baby’s body toward yours so your tummies are touching.
  3. Hold your breast as if you are squeezing a sandwich. To protect your back, avoid leaning down to your baby. Instead, bring your baby to you.
  4. As your baby’s mouth opens, push gently with your left palm on baby’s head to help them latch on. Make sure you keep your fingers out of the way.
  5. Reverse for the left breast.

This hold is useful when:

  • Your baby is premature
  • Your baby has a weak suck
  • Your baby needs help to stay latched
  • Your baby needs extra head support
  • You and your baby are comfortable in this position
Football-hold

Clutch or “Football” Hold

  1. For the right breast, hold your baby level, facing up, at your right side.
  2. Put your baby’s head near your right nipple and support their back and legs under your right arm.
  3. Hold the base of your baby’s head with your right palm. A pillow underneath your right arm can help support your baby’s weight.
  4. To protect your back, avoid leaning down to your baby. Bring baby to you instead.
  5. Reverse for the left breast.

This hold is useful when:

  • You had a C-section
  • You have large breasts
  • You have flat or inverted nipples
  • You have a strong milk let-down
  • You are breastfeeding twins
  • Your baby likes to feed in an upright position
  • Your baby has reflux
  • You and your baby are comfortable in this position
CRADLE-HOLD​

Cradle Hold

  1. For the right breast, cradle your baby with your right arm. Your baby will be on their left side across your lap, facing you at nipple level.
  2. Your baby’s head will rest on your right forearm with your baby’s back along your inner arm and palm.
  3. Turn your baby’s tummy toward your tummy. Your left hand is free to support your breast, if needed. Pillows can help support your arm and elbow.
  4. To protect your back, avoid leaning down to your baby. Instead, bring your baby to you.
  5. Reverse for the left breast.

This hold is useful when:

  • Your baby needs help latching on
  • You and your baby are comfortable in this position
laid-back

Laid-Back Hold

  1. Lean back on a pillow with your baby’s tummy touching yours and their head at breast level. Some moms find that sitting up nearly straight works well. Others prefer to lean back and lie almost flat.
  2. You can place your baby’s cheek near your breast, or you may want to use one hand to hold your breast near your baby. It’s up to you and what you think feels best.
  3. Your baby will naturally find your nipple, latch, and begin to suckle.

This hold is useful when:

  • Your baby is placed on your chest right after birth
  • You have a strong milk let-down
  • You have large breasts
  • You and your baby are comfortable in this position