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Playing with Your Baby - Birth to Twelve Months
From birth to 3 months
From 3 to 6 months
From 6 to 9 months
From 9 to 12 months
From birth to 3 months, there are many things you can do with your baby, such as:
| Toys for a 0 to 3 month old:
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This is also a great time to start tummy-time. Wait until your baby’s umbilical cord falls off to start this activity. Tummy-time helps prevent baby from developing a flat head and it also helps with healthy muscle development. In the beginning, your baby may only like this activity for a few minutes at a time.
It’s important to remember to put your baby on his tummy only when he is awake, never when he is asleep. If your baby falls asleep while you’re doing this activity, turn your baby over so he is sleeping on his back, or pick him up and place him in his crib on his back.
Tips for tummy-time include:
- Place a clean blanket on the floor.
- Place your baby on top of the blanket on her tummy.
- Use brightly coloured toys or a childproofed mirror directly in front of her to help hold her attention.
- Remember, you’re the most interesting object for your baby. Get down on the floor with your face directly in front of her so she can see the most important person in her life. Talk to her, sing to her, and tell her what a great job she is doing with holding her head up.
If your baby is very unhappy being on his tummy, here are a couple of suggestions:
- Place your baby on your chest when he is awake. This will help him get used to being on his tummy and he will try to pick up his head so he can see your face.
- You can also give your baby support by putting a rolled up towel or receiving blanket under his chest. Make sure you put his arms in front of the towel. This will help your baby stay on his tummy a little longer.
- Give him several brief periods on his tummy throughout the day. Start with 2 to 5 minutes and then gradually increase the time, until he can play from 20 to 30 minutes.
From 3 to 6 months, you will notice a big change in your baby. He is starting to laugh and can do more things. During this age, continue with tummy-time.
Other activities you can do with your 3 to 6 month old baby are:
| Toys for a 3 to 6 month old:
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From 6 to 9 months, your baby is becoming more curious. It’s time to childproof your home. Your baby is starting to do things on his own, and starting to move.
During this time, activities you can do with your baby include:
| Toys for a 6 to 9 month old:
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From 9 to 12 months, your baby is learning a lot of new things. You’re his first teacher and there are a lot of activities you can do with your baby during this time, such as:
| Toys for a 9 to 12 month old:
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There are several agencies in the Windsor and Essex County area that provide programs to help parents learn how to play with their babies. Here are a few suggestions:
- Libraries - www.windsorpubliclibrary.com
- Ontario Early Years Centers www.children.gov.on.ca/htdocs/English/topics/earlychildhood/oeyc/locations/index.aspx
- Parent and Family Literacy Centres - www.gecdsb.on.ca/community/parentingFamLit/
- Ready-Set-Go - www.ready-set-go.ca
For more information call the Intake Nurse:
- Windsor-Essex County Local calls: 519-258-2146 ext. 1350
- Long distance calls: 1-800-265-5822 ext. 1350