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!

Guilty as charged – I spend a lot of time either holding Veronika in the crook of my arm, or lying her some place where she is secure – the bassinet, a bouncy seat – and perhaps not quite enough time letting her move freely.

But even the littlest babies need to get moving, since this is how they’ll strengthen those tiny muscles! Today I made it a point to let Veronika get kicking and wiggling.

So they aren’t hindered by slippery fabric, this activity is best done in a warm room in just a diaper (although I added a onesie since the living room was a little cold).

It was great to watch her kick her legs high, and scoot around as much as she could!

She seemed to love the freedom to move. This activity is definitely one we’ll add to her daily agenda, as we settle into longer wake stretches here.

Here’s an adorable way to bond with your little one, as early as when he or she is a few weeks old! Babies are drawn to grown-up faces, and will instinctively copy the expressions you make. (Note: this is the reverse of copying your infant, a game Veronika and I played a few days ago!)

This time, find a quiet moment when you have an alert and quiet newborn’s attention, and stick out your tongue for a few seconds, about 10 to 20 seconds apart. Pretty soon, they should try to copy you!

Veronika definitely was paying attention from the start; I could practically see the little wheels in her brain turning.

Trying out a few expressions. Hmm, not quite right.

Getting there, the mouth is open. But where is that tongue?

There it is!

Big siblings will get a kick out of this game, too, since normally sticking out a tongue is considered rude. Travis couldn’t believe I was encouraging the action, and loved sticking his tongue out at lil sis.