Playing with your newborn is a perfect way to gently guide him or her into this new - and unfamiliar - world. Mobiles with high-contrast patterns and books with photos of babies' faces will captivate your baby.
A play gym full of compelling toys to look at, swipe at, and listen to will give your baby practice with arm, hand, and finger coordination skills - and make lying down more interesting! You can even lie down on the floor next to your baby and join in the fun.
Although your baby can grab with gusto now, he or she doesn't yet have the hand-eye coordination to reach for an object you dangle overhead. That skill will develop at about 4 months of age. In the meantime, you'll have to place toys in your baby's hand - your pinky may be an unexpected favorite.
Exploring extremities
At birth, your baby had no idea that those flailing arms and legs were actually attached to him or her. That's all changing now as your baby starts exploring his or her body. The parts that will be of highest interest in the beginning are the hands and feet.
Encourage your baby's interest by holding his or her arms overhead and asking, "How big is baby?" or by reciting "This Little Piggy" and counting up toes. Try moving your baby's hands in front of his or her face so they can be seen and felt at the same time.
Babies have trouble regulating their body temperature, and their circulation isn't perfect just yet. Keep in mind that some of your baby's body heat escapes through his or her hands and feet. Make sure little toes and fingers are covered on cold days, particularly when the two of you go outside.
Baby talk
Your baby may gurgle, coo, grunt, and hum to express his or her feelings. A few babies also begin squealing and laughing. Be sure to coo and gurgle back, and talk to your baby face to face. He or she will enjoy holding your gaze now.
If you have things to do, your baby will still enjoy hearing your voice from across the room. And don't feel silly about talking Motherese or baby talk - babies are particularly attuned to this high-pitched, drawn-out way of communicating that can actually teach your baby about the structure and function of language.
Narrate your day to your baby. He or she will enjoy your conversation and may even start to chime in with his or her own additions.