It is important to feel close
to each other. You should speak to your
baby about what you want to do. What
sounds and textures does your baby like?
Create a relaxed atmosphere where
baby feels warm and comfortable. Remove
all jewelery from your hands.
0 to 3 months
" Try lying baby on his belly and
stroke down from the back of his head to
his bottom. This should encourage baby
to hold his head up a little longer.
" Lie baby on his back. Show him a
colourful toy. Once baby has looked at
it, move it slowly away and hide it
behind your back then show him the toy
again. Once he is concentrating on it,
move it around slowly, twist it and
shake it a little then hide it behind
your back again making sure he is
following your movements. Keep repeating
until baby follows the toy with his head
and eventually his hands.
" (from around 2 months) For this
exercise you will need two people. Lay a
thick blanket on the floor and put baby
in the middle on his back: each person
takes hold of two corners of the blanket
and lifts it carefully off the ground.
Slowly and gently swing the blanket to
the left and right. Babies really enjoy
the different feelings this produces.
The older and more confident the baby
is, the higher you can swing.
" Take a ball (approx 10 to 13 ins in
diameter) with a string attached to it
and hold it over baby's feet (not over
his head as you don't want to frighten
him). Baby should start to kick the
ball; when he sees the movement it
should encourage him to kick a little
more.
With the same ball you can try:
" Lay your baby over the ball on his
front so his feet still touch the floor.
It is important to hold baby tight and
never let go. Move him slowly back and
forth on the ball: this movement should
encourage baby to hold his head and
perhaps even push himself along the
ground.
