8 Fun Things to Do With a Newborn Baby

Let’s face it, newborns spend most of their time sleeping, feeding and pooping. But as your baby gets older, they’ll start to stay awake for longer. So you’ll soon need ideas of some fun things to do with a newborn baby.

That’s why we’ve put together a list of simple ideas for playing with a newborn baby. These suggestions will help your newborn build important connections in their brain. And help them meet their developmental milestones. Doing these things often will also help you build a strong bond with your little one.

8 fun things to do with your newborn baby

So if you’re wondering – Do newborns get bored? And what do you do with a newborn when they are awake? Keep reading.

Do Newborns Get Bored?

Your newborn won’t get bored like a teenager would. They have short attention spans and would always find something new or interesting to look at. But that doesn’t mean that they don’t need stimulation. It helps them make important connections in their brain. And allows you to build a strong relationship with them.

What Do You Do With a Newborn When They Are Awake?

Try doing normal, everyday activities are some with your newborn when they are awake. For example:

Take your baby for a walk

Talk to them

Start tummy time

Try skin to skin

Read your newborn books

Sing nursery rhymes and lullabies

Show your baby black and white pictures

Take cute photos of your newborn

These fun things to do with a newborn baby may seem like small activities to us. But they will stimulate your baby. And make a big difference in their learning and development.

8 fun things to do with a newborn infographic

Let’s take a look at some of these things in more detail. As well as tips to help you get started.

Take Your Baby For a Walk

Taking your baby for a walk is one of the most fun things to do with a newborn baby. You may feel anxious about taking your newborn out for a walk for the first time. But the different noises, blurry shapes and weather will all stimulate your baby. The fresh air will also do you both some good!

Talk to Your Baby

Your newborn will be able to recognise your voice from 1 week old. So talking to them throughout the day will comfort them. It’ll also help them get used to their new language. Remember, your baby can’t see very far at first. So make sure you get close when you talk to them! Pull faces, poke your tongue out and talk about your day.

It can feel weird talking to your newborn because you’re pretty much talking to yourself. Here are some tips to help you get used to it – Talk to Your Baby With These 5 Easy Tips.

Start Tummy Time With Your Newborn

Trying tummy time is another one of our fun things to do with a newborn baby. Lots of professionals recommend you start tummy time with your newborn early.

But this doesn’t mean you have to put them on the floor at first.

There are different holds and positions you can try to help them get used to it. Newborns love being held and touched so this will comfort them. As well as helping them to strengthen important muscles. These are the muscles that help them roll, sit up, crawl, stand and walk.

Read more: How to Do Tummy Time With a Newborn.

Try Skin to Skin

Skin to skin time is where you hold your naked baby on your bare chest. But you will probably want to keep their nappy on!

It has so many benefits and helps to:

Boost milk supply

Strengthen your bond with your baby

Calms you both

Give you a well-deserved break

Skin to skin time isn’t just for us mums. Dads will feel some of the benefits too. It’ll help them to bond with their new arrival and get your baby used to their daddy. So make sure you get your partner involved too!

Read Your Newborn Books

Your newborn won’t be able to understand a story you’re reading to them. But it still helps to strengthen your bond and stimulate them. Reading to your newborn is also an easy activity that will add a bit of variety to your day.

There are so many baby books to choose from. But they weren’t all created equal. So we’ve put together a simple list of some of the most heartwarming books for little ones.

Sing Nursery Rhymes and Lullabies

Nursery rhymes and lullabies are short, sweet and packed full of language. Your newborn will love listening to the sound of your voice, even if you can’t hold a tune!

These types of songs will have your little one drifting off to sleep in no time. Remember to use them as they get older and when the sleep regressions start to hit.

Read more: 8 Beautiful Baby Lullabies to Song (including free printable lyrics)

Show Your Baby Black and White Pictures

Did you know that your newborn can only see in black and white at first? This is why high contrast black and white picture cards help to develop their vision. Showing your baby these images will interest them. Stimulate their brain and encourage them to focus.

Read more about the benefits. And download your 20 Free Printable Black and White Pictures For Babies here.

Take Cute Photos Of Your Newborn

Taking cute photos of your newborn is a must – you can never take too many! But it’s more of a fun activity for you, rather than your little one. You’ll be glad you took so many in a year or two’s time because they grow so quick! Although it doesn’t feel like it when you’re up all night feeding them!

Conclusion

Walking, talking, singing and reading are all fun things to do with a newborn baby. They’ll help you interact and learn more about your new baby. Skin to skin, tummy time and black and white images will help your newborn’s development as well. So give them a try!

You don’t need to do everything on the list, every day (you’ll have enough to do!) But trying one of these suggestions each day will stimulate your baby and add variety to your day too.

Playing with a newborn baby is important. But you need to watch out for signs of overstimulation. They include fussing, crying, turning their head away and rubbing their eyes. Let your baby rest if you notice them doing these things.