Tending to a newborn can leave you little time to participate in leisurely activities for yourself. One of the best ways to combat this is to find fun and interesting activities that you can do with your baby. Just because you have a newborn doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy all the things that you used to in the past - it just means that you now have an adventure partner to enjoy those activities with! In today’s article, we have a look at some fun activities you can take on with your newborn, so read on to find out more!
1. Say Cheese!
Is there anything cuter than professional photos of babies? We can’t think of anything that makes us squeal more. One of the things that should be on your parent and baby bucket list is a professional shoot with an experienced baby photographer. Why not book an appointment with Siobhan Wolff Photography? You can be assured that not only will it be a fun experience, but you’ll get to go home with an incredible collection of photos that you will cherish for a lifetime.
2. Have A Picnic
Having a picnic with your baby on a warm and sunny afternoon is truly one of life’s delights. Why not take the baby out to a local park or reserve and enjoy a sandwich under the sun? Just because your newborn isn’t able to enjoy solid foods doesn’t mean that they can’t enjoy the picnic experience. Pack a few sachets or jars of baby food into your bag along with a bottle of water and a lunchbox for yourself and you’re good to go! Picnics are more about the experience and fun of enjoying time in nature together rather than the food itself, making it an ideal experience that all parents should enjoy with their newborns.
3. Music Therapy
Did you know that all babies have an affinity for music? Science has proven that melodies have a soothing effect on babies and can help strengthen their mental skills. Music therapy should definitely be on your baby bucket list. Music therapy doesn’t require you to go to a professional or book classes - in fact, you can do it in the comfort of your own home. Experts suggest playing different types of music when your baby is awake and paying attention to what kind of music excites your child. Sing along to songs, and ensure that you touch and play with your baby whilst the music is playing. Music therapy can be just as soothing for a parent as it is for your baby.
4. Swimming Classes
Swimming is one of those vital life skills that we believe everyone should know. Starting your baby off early is a fantastic way to strengthen his or her’s cognitive functions, improve sleeping patterns, boost confidence and can offer you some quality bonding time with your child whilst teaching them a life skill. We always recommend enlisting the help of a professional swimming coach that specialises in teaching babies how to swim. This ensures that you will have peace of mind knowing that your baby is safe, healthy and in qualified hands.
5. Head To The Grocery Store
Teaching your baby how to lead a healthy lifestyle starts at the supermarket. Your first trip to the grocery store may seem like a feat of Everest proportions, but keep with it and in time you’ll find your own special way of navigating through the supermarket with your little one. Instead of seeing shopping as a chore, take the opportunity to point out healthy fruit, vegetables and foods that you walk past. This is a fantastic way of ingraining healthy eating habits in your child early on, reducing the chances of them turning into a picky eater as they grow.
6. Join a Library
Did you know that many libraries offer storytime sessions for newborns and toddlers? Most storytimes include someone reading a story, singing songs and encouraging you and your child to participate in various learning activities. Some of the benefits of this include the chance to interact with other children, fostering a love for knowledge and encouraging your child to develop their learning skills early on in life.
7. Baby Yoga
Last but not least - baby yoga. Baby yoga sessions involve sessions where mum enjoys yoga sessions whilst the baby watches. Not only does this give a parent some leisure time to work on their mental and physical health, but it also exposes the baby to a calm and serene environment where they can interact with other babies that are present. If you are feeling up to it, there are even a few yoga positions crafted for babies that are 100% safe.
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Having a baby creates a host of opportunities for you and your child to enjoy together. We hope that this article has given you a few ideas on various activities that you can enjoy with your newborn.