quick clicks

moms today articles

moms today q&a

message boards

research baby names

prepare a birth plan

content channels

ip channel rss feeds

read birth stories

read parenting stories

recommended books

e-newsletters

safety recalls

ip diaries

ip store

mom of the month

dad of the month

editor's letter

letters to the editor

Bonding From the Beginning

Use Baby's Senses to Create That Special Connection

By Kelly Burgess

Newborns are amazingly intelligent and able to "play" by imitation. Try some of these games starting at about 3 weeks of age:

When you are holding your baby, but he is not feeding, slowly stick your tongue out of your mouth and then slide it back in. Smile at Baby. Wait a minute and repeat. Baby will copy you after a few repetitions.

Hold Baby up to the mirror, your faces side by side, and look at him and talk to him. He will recognize you and try to make sense of the "other" baby. He may even wiggle and flail his arms in response to the two faces.

On a piece of white paper, draw a very basic, black-outlined face: Eyes, nose, mouth, ears. Allow Baby to study it. Babies love contrast and recognize the basic features of a face.

Dangle a brightly-colored object in front of his eyes and watch him track its movements.

Watch for the following signals that Baby is done playing:

• Turning away;
• Breaking eye contact;
• Frowning or grimacing;
• Arching the back;
• Crying;
• Squirming.