In the first couple of months, your baby is becoming more responsive to the world. They’re not quite ready to laugh, but they light up when you pick them up for a fun game of peek-a-boo. They’ll even hold your gaze. As they move into months 3 and 4, they’ll start to explore by stretching their arms and legs—putting them on the path to a greater understanding of the world around them. And you’ll see more of your baby’s personality starting to shine through.
Make sure they have the stimulation and good nutrition, including DHA, that they need to help them reach their milestones. The nutrients in a well-balanced diet (whether you’re breastfeeding, formula feeding or both) are especially important in the first stages of life.
Look for these milestones:
Stimulating baby development milestones
As well as ensuring your baby gets the right nutrition, you’re also important in stimulating their developmental growth. Below are some activities you can try with your little one. Each helps to stimulate cognitive, motor, communication or social milestones. It’s a great way for you to bond while having fun.
Stimulation for newborn baby
Hang a mobile with simple patterns over your baby’s crib to encourage cognitive development as they learn to focus.
Place baby on their stomach during playtime to help them learn motor development as they lift their head, strengthening the neck muscles.
Stimulate their cognitive development with interactive activities, such as imitating them. When they’re quiet and alert, watch to see what they do, then mimic them.
Stimulation for babies at 2-3 months
Encourage cognitive development with interactive play such as putting on a puppet show: pop a stuffed animal or puppet out from behind your back or the side of the crib. Soon, they may start looking for it.
To encourage communication milestones, talk to your baby often and point out familiar objects to help them to understand the associations.
Play when your baby is alert and ready. Hold your baby in an upright position on your lap while supporting their head so that you can “talk” face to face.
Stimulation for babies at 4-5 months
Further encourage social development by showing your baby their reflection in a mirror, since they likely already have an interest in faces and watching others.
Give your baby plenty of time on their stomach to help motor milestones as they kick, play and learn to roll over.
Stimulate their cognitive development with interactive activities, such as engaging in fun games to make them laugh. Make faces, tickle them—anything to prompt a positive reaction.
