How to Play With Your Newborn to Boost Development
Baby’s mind and body are developing in the most amazing ways right now, and you want to maximize every moment of this important period. But the truth is, you don’t need to do a heck of a lot to entertain your newborn. Forget “mommy-and-me” language lessons—right now, baby can benefit most from a few very simple activities, says Lisa M. Asta, MD, a clinical professor of pediatrics at the University of California at San Francisco and fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). “One of my favorite ‘games’ to play with my daughters when they were babies was wiggling my eyebrows,” shares Amy Jackson, chief early learning strategy officer at Primrose Schools. A community member on The Bump, 847Christine, recalls how she also kept newborn playtime simple: “When my daughter was [first born], I wore her in my sling a lot while I did stuff around the house. I sang to her a lot too.”
So what are the best ways to play with your newborn to keep them happy and boost their development? And how often do you need to engage with baby? Below, experts and real parents get into it.
- You can start playing with your newborn immediately to help bond. However, playing at this age is more about sensory exploration than toys.
- There’s no dedicated amount of playtime newborns need, and play sessions at this age may only last a few minutes before they get tired, hungry or need a diaper change.
- You should interact with newborns frequently between wake windows. Follow their cues and engage when they’re alert and calm.
- The best activities for newborns are practicing tummy time, talking to them, reading a book together and singing to them, among others.
You may be surprised to find that you can start “playing” with your newborn as soon as they’re home from the hospital. “From the moment they’re born, babies are wired to connect,” says Jackson. “Research shows that even in the first days, responsive interactions—like talking, singing and gentle touch—support brain development and secure attachment.”
Of course, when baby’s this young, playing is more about bonding and sensory exploration for them, rather than toys. “In fact, your face is their favorite toy. When you coo, smile or stick out your tongue, baby is learning about communication, emotion and even cause and effect,” Jackson adds.
Jax loves it when I make funny noises with my mouth, talk to him, read to him, etc. We also do tummy time a couple times per day, walk around the house looking at everything… He just now started enjoying swinging in his swing, and I turn my iPod on so he can listen to music… He likes to lay under his play gym but he just stares at the toys/lights—he hasn't started to play with any of them yet. I think the most important thing is that you’re interacting with baby.
Newborns don’t need a specific amount of interaction or a dedicated amount of playtime, says Charmaine Chibar, MD, a Florida-based pediatrician with Bluebird Kids Health. “Playtime should be short and frequent and should be guided by your baby’s cues.” This includes following baby’s wake windows—which range from 45 to 90 minutes during the newborn phase. “If they’re alert and calm, it’s a great time to engage,” Jackson says. However, if they’re fussy, turning away or yawning, they’re probably getting tired or overstimulated. If you notice these cues, stop the activity and try again at another time.
With baby’s wake windows in mind, these “play sessions” may only last 5 to 10 minutes before baby needs to be fed, changed or put to sleep. But don’t worry too much about the length of stimulation baby gets in the first few weeks, as even short periods of engagement benefit their development and help them bond with you. “Many new parents are surprised to learn that newborns don’t actually need or benefit from constant stimulation. However, babies do thrive on frequent, responsive interaction,” Jackson notes.
I think it's important not to overstimulate them. I just read to him, take a tour of the house with him pointing out different things in the house, and dangle toys in front of him. There's only so much you can do with a 5-week-old.
At this stage in baby’s life, any type of play is really about bonding with each other and stimulating their senses. “Play sessions are like mini workouts for their bodies and brains. A few minutes of tummy time, followed by a song or a gentle massage, and they’ll be ready to recharge,” says Jackson. “As they grow, their stamina increases, and so does their playtime.” Below, she and Chibar list a few of the best ways to play with your newborn.
Tummy time
While baby should sleep on their back, when they’re awake, baby should have (supervised) time on their tummy. “Tummy time helps with gross motor skills and keeps the head from flattening,” says Asta. “Babies should be on their tummies multiple times a day.” You may be surprised to learn you can start doing tummy time with baby from the get go. In fact, you can do two to three sessions a day, each lasting for three to five minutes, Chibar says. As baby’s stamina increases, slowly increase tummy time sessions, so that by the time baby’s 7 weeks, each is between 15 to 30 minutes long.
If baby hates tummy time (it happens), sweeten the deal by lying on the floor next to them and encouraging your little one to lift their head up. Put items with different colors and textures (like a soft towel) underneath baby during the exercise sessions, or even move the workouts to a shaded spot in the backyard.
Use different colors, sounds and textures
Sensory play can be great for newborn and baby development. “Let them feel different textures—soft clothes, your skin or a cool spoon, for example,” Jackson notes. Chibar also notes that finger puppets, colorful board books, peek-a-boo and soft, musical toys are all great ways to boost your newborn’s sensory development.
Talk to baby
Having a one-sided convo might feel a little silly at first, but hearing you speak does wonders for baby’s language development. “Look at all the ‘teach-yourself-a-new-language’ programs. They make their money by letting you hear language out loud,” Asta says. Rest assured that witty banter isn’t necessary right now; your newborn will find even the most mundane topics fascinating. So explain how you’re slicing vegetables for tonight’s dinner, tell baby what you’re doing during their bath, point out how the leaves outside are changing colors. It may seem boring to you, but trust us, baby is listening and watching. “Your expressions are fascinating to your baby,” Jackson notes. “Try exaggerated smiles, silly faces, peek-a-boo or just talking softly.”
When in doubt, use a mirror Jackson says. Your face isn’t the only one baby loves looking at—they’re also fascinated by their own.
Abby only really liked to see our faces. For the first couple of months, they don't need anything fancy, just a person holding them to talk to them—that's it. Even now, Abby's thrilled just to sit on my lap while I talk to her, my older son or my husband. She can reach my face now, so she'll grab me by the face and try to chomp on my nose… It's amazing how entertaining Mommy can be for a newborn.
Sing baby a song
Belting out “Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)” isn’t just fun, it also boosts baby’s language skills. Don’t worry if you don’t have a voice like Beyoncé’s—your infant won’t judge you if you don’t hit all the notes. And don’t feel like your soundtrack has to stick to something baby-friendly either. “It doesn’t have to be kiddie music that makes you feel like your brain will rot,” Asta says. In fact, Jackson says that lullabies, nursery rhymes and your favorite current songs are all great options.
Read a book together
Reserve time throughout the day to snuggle up and read a book together, suggests Chibar. Besides the excuse to bond, reading is an ideal way for baby to hear your voice (it’s one of their favorite sounds). Look for board books with pictures of faces or high-contrast patterns in black and white or bright colors.
Slow your normal pace
Turn your phone on silent every now and then, focus on baby and slow down to their pace. “Babies change so quickly; every day seems to last a lifetime,” Asta says. “They also operate at so much of a slower pace, and that’s okay. This is a more mellow time. Relax and enjoy it.”
It may not seem like you and baby are doing much together, but even these small interactions are crucial for their growth. “The most important thing is to interact with baby. Make eye contact, smile, talk to them and respond to their cues,” Chibar says. “This helps them feel loved and secure, and it encourages their development.”
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best toys for newborns?
The best toys for newborns are ones that help them in sensory exploration and discovery. At this stage, that includes toys like highly contrasted cards, rattles, mobiles, brightly colored board books, an activity mat and more.
Is my newborn getting enough playtime?
The best way to assess if baby’s getting enough playtime is by watching them. Babies should be more alert and responsive during play sessions, making lots of eye content and seem content during and after playtime, Chibar says. Plus, baby should be meeting their early milestones and have improved motor skills, such as slowing building the strength to lift their head and increasing their tolerance for tummy time. “If baby is alert, engaged and meeting early milestones, like tracking with their eyes, responding to sounds or smiling socially, they’re likely getting just the right amount of stimulation,” Jackson says.
How can I stay entertained with a newborn?
“It's fair to say that newborns aren’t the most dynamic playmates. But they’re fascinating when you slow down and get comfortable feeling a little silly,” Jackson says. Try things that keep you engaged along with baby, such as narrating your day, making funny faces, reading a book out loud together, taking a walk or snapping lots of photos together. “Creating routines that include playful moments, such as singing to your baby while changing their diaper,” suggests Chibar. She also recommends joining parent groups where you can share ideas and get support.
Do babies get bored?
Yes and no. “Babies don’t get bored the way adults do, but they do crave novelty and interaction,” Jackson says. In other words, it’s less about being bored and more about being under-stimulated when it comes to babies. According to Chibar, babies need variety when it comes to sensory exploration. “If they’re always exposed to the same experiences, over time, they may become less responsive and disengaged,” she notes.
So how can you tell if baby’s underwhelmed and needs a new activity? Usually, they’ll stare off into space or get fussy even when all their needs are met, Jackson says. To keep baby engaged, try rotating their toys out, changing baby’s location and even varying how you interact with them, Chibar says.
What is the newborn 2-hour rule?
The newborn two-hour rule can apply to a couple of different things. More commonly, the newborn two-hour rule usually refers to the amount of time they should be spending in car seats or bouncers per day, Chibar says. “This is because prolonged use can interfere with motor development and decrease time for active play.”
However, when it comes to play, Jackson notes the rule refers to the idea that “newborns shouldn’t be awake for more than about one to two hours at a time” to prevent overtiredness and fussiness. “So if baby’s been awake for 90 minutes, it’s better to wind down than start something new,” she says. “This is particularly important to remember when planning for well-meaning visitors who want to welcome the new baby or while running errands. A well-rested baby is a healthier, happier, more playful baby!”
To sum it up, don’t stress too much about how to play with your newborn—odds are you’re already naturally doing the things that are best at keeping them engaged, like talking to them and making faces at them. Soon, baby will be able to play back—and that’s when things will get really fun!
Please note: The Bump and the materials and information it contains are not intended to, and do not constitute, medical or other health advice or diagnosis and should not be used as such. You should always consult with a qualified physician or health professional about your specific circumstances.
Plus, more from The Bump:
Lisa M. Asta, MD, FAAP, is a pediatrician at Casa Verde Pediatrics in Walnut Creek, California, and a clinical professor of pediatrics at the University of California at San Francisco. She is also a fellow of and spokesperson for the American Academy of Pediatrics. She earned her medical degree from Temple University School of Medicine.
Charmaine Chibar, MD, is a pediatrician with Bluebird Kids Health in Florida. She has over 20 years of experience and earned her medical degree from Emory University School of Medicine.
Amy Jackson, PhD, is the chief early learning strategy officer at Primrose Schools. She holds a doctorate in instructional leadership from Georgetown University, a master’s in curriculum from the University of Georgia, an MBA from the University of Virginia Darden School of Business and a bachelor’s in early childhood education from Nova Southeastern University.
Learn how we ensure the accuracy of our content through our editorial and medical review process.
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