Veronika has been a remarkably mellow baby; she’ll give little cries for milk when hunger strikes, and she isn’t a huge fan of car rides, but other than that, she’s usually quiet as a mouse!

So I haven’t had much need yet to calm down a very fussy baby, but I do sometimes notice that all the noise and bustle in the apartment makes her a touch overwhelmed. This calming pose is the perfect time-out – for baby and busy parent both!

Lie your baby down on a soft surface – we have a great, thick playmat that’s perfect, but a nice soft blanket or bathmat would work too.

Place your forearms and palms on the ground on either side of baby’s head and kneel in close so your faces are near each other.

Sing softly, taking time to slow down each out breath as you do so. Not only will it calm you down – and you’ll feel a great stretch through your spine! – but it should help baby feel calmer too.

Veronika certainly looked zen. If you don’t have time to do the full pose, just take a moment for calm out breaths, as you hum or sing. This can be during chores or a diaper change. Even that little bit goes a long way in calming your baby’s heart rate.

Photo credit in this post goes to my four year old!

Ribbons and shoelaces and… bathrobes, oh my!

My latest creation for Veronika, to enable her to watch interesting toys, uses just the belt of a bathrobe. Tie the belt securely over the bars of the bassinet or the crib at about where your baby’s chest will be when he or she is lying down.

I used clothespins from the craft bin to attach a few soft toys to the belt.

Veronika could then look at these – and swat for them – while lying down quietly in the bassinet.

I think she appreciated the new view! This was a great way to keep her occupied while making dinner.

We’ve played a lot with Veronika to train her eyesight… Now today’s game engaged both the eyes and the ears.

Holding your baby close, lock eyes, then move your face, speaking first on one side of their head and then the other, with the goal that they will turn towards you as you speak. They may not get it right away, but it will definitely encourage hearing on both sides, as well as visual tracking and the social concept of turning towards a speaker.

This was hard to photograph, so after holding her in my arms, we played with Veronika in her bouncy seat, too. Where is that voice coming from?

Over this way?

As babies get older, you could also try playing while baby lies flat on a playmat. Encourage older siblings to talk to the baby, and see if the head will turn. Veronika really responds to Travis’s voice (no doubt from hearing his loud games for 9 months!) so she might turn towards him more readily than towards me!

Update: We did this game again at 6 weeks of age, but this time we stood in various places around the room. This is a great way to help baby coordinate his or her hearing and eyesight.

Travis loved testing her. “Can she find me now?” he asked, moving all about the room. Good fun for both siblings!

Much like the activity for watching ribbons, this game is a great way to engage your newborn’s eyesight, as well as encourage gross motor activity. Of course don’t be disappointed if your child can’t really reach for the toy yet, much less grasp it – he or she won’t have great control over those arm muscles until about 2 or 3 months old. But this might encourage them to try!

Choose a soft small toy to dangle from a ribbon – a round lion rattle was perfect for the job.

I swung the toy gently over Veronika as she lay on a playmat, hoping this would encourage her to follow the toy with her eyes or even her head.

Up went the little arms when the toy swung close to her!

Big brother Travis loved being the one to swing the toy, too, although I had to remind him to swing it slowly and not make her dizzy. All in all, a simple and engaging activity.

Today’s baby activity is another one more for the parents.

You think you’re going to remember all the details, new mama. You swear when a thought crosses your brain during that 4 a.m. feeding that you don’t need to write it down. But new mama (and dad!), you are tired mama (and dad!), so I will spare you the guesswork: Yes, you need to write it down.

By which I mean anything and everything, but in particular, questions for the baby’s pediatrician.

With Travis, I always went in to check-ups armed with a list of items to ask, but – needless to say – this time I find myself more frazzled. I did myself (and Veronika!) a favor by starting a list. Tack it some place you can access it easily, like up on the fridge, and add to it the moment a thought, question, or concern crosses your mind.

No question is too big or too small. Even veteran parents will have questions, since every baby is different.

Jot down the questions as they come to you, not later. You will not remember. And then don’t forget to pack the list when you head to your child’s next appointment!