What in the world are you supposed to do with a newborn baby during the day? Here is a list of indoor activities for babies 0-3 months that you can do right here at home!
Let’s be honest.
Babies are adorable, but they’re also kind of just a blob of human. You know what I mean? They sleep, they eat, they cry, they poo, they sleep some more.
And you see other people with these little people, and again, you think, wow, they are so small and cute, and you move on with your day.
Then somehow, when you have your own, that little blob of human becomes the center of your world and you realize that you actually have to engage with this little brain, fascinate them, enthrall them, keep them interested…
When I first became a mom, there were some moments when I thought, I have no idea what to do with this little bean besides hold him and stare at him.
Which is honestly what I did most of the time hah! Still do, actually. I loooove staring at my baby, watching his little movements and sounds and listening to his little voice. But, at some point, babies get tired of being stared at, and they need other forms of entertainment to distract them.
And that’s your job.
So, seemingly that they rely on us for everything, including that entertainment, how do you do it? How do you entertain your little newborn baby during all hours of the day while in your cozy little home?
Here are some simple and easy ideas for you to implement in your daily activities with your baby to keep them happy, entertained, and bewitched by you!
This post is all about simple indoor activities for babies 0-3 months.
33 Simple Indoor Activities For Babies 0-3 Months
Although your baby most likely doesn’t understand what you are saying or doing, all of these activities are laying down the groundwork for your future interactions with them! The activities you do in the future will build off of these types of activities for babies 0-3 month.
1. Have a conversation with them
Talking to your baby is one of the best things you can do. If conversations with babies come naturally to you, that’s awesome! If not, keep practicing- it will start to become more natural as you do it more. Believe me, I would know!
By nature, I am more of a listener, and once my little bean was born, I had to learn to become more of a talker. It felt odd at first, and I didn’t always know what to say, so I practiced saying anything and everything.
Practice talking to your baby about what you are doing, and learn to explain things more in depth than you usually would. Throw in extra details about colors, sizes, names of people/objects, etc. Tell them how you are feeling, ask them questions, tell them secrets, give them advice and ask for theirs, etc. Practice saying more of your thoughts out loud.
And when your baby responds to you, just pretend like they are answering you. Make up their answer and just roll with it! My baby and I have had some pretty bizarre conversations!
2. mimic their sounds
When you hear your baby make a sound, mimic the sound back to them. Wait for them to answer, and repeat. This not only tells your baby that you are listening to them, but you are also teaching them about communication.
It’s a fun way to show them different tones, fluctuation, pace, etc. It even shows them how you wait for them to be done talking before responding. These valuable lessons are great activities for babies, promoting communication and language development!
And even though you have no idea what they are actually saying, you still create your own little language that you both will understand down the road.
3. Make Animal sounds
Animal sounds are a way to connect with your baby, and helps with early language development. It allows them to recognize, mimic, and attach meaning to animal sounds (not just animal sounds, but other sounds as well, like car sounds). It is also easy for them to find common ground with other people, since most people connect with animals themselves.
Plus, making animal sounds is fun! You can make it exaggerated and silly and use big actions that they can watch.
4. Sing to them
Not only can singing be fun, but it can also be soothing for you and your little one (especially if you sang while they were in the womb). It helps with communication, connection, and emotion.
And the best part? You don’t even have to be a good singer! Your newborn will think you have the most amazing voice, even if it’s actually complete garbage 😛
5. Listen to music
Just like babies love it when you sing, they love music! There is especially something special to them about music that you played while they were in the womb.
I played one of my favorite artists, Patrick Droney, basically on repeat while I was pregnant, so what did my baby respond to when he was born? Yup. Patrick Droney! We figured out that whenever my baby would start crying hysterically, the song “Caroline” by Patrick Droney would calm him down basically immediately. It was incredible to watch!
Music really has such an effect on infants.
6. Dance for them and with them
Doing some light dancing with your little baby is a great way change the pace! It can be soothing for them as you rock them gently, and maybe it will even put them to sleep. You don’t have to hold them either, in case you want to be a bit more exaggerated in your movements. You can just stand somewhere where they can see you and do some major head banging or some ballerina leaps!
Don’t forget to combine your dancing with music or with singing, which makes for an even better show!
7. Skin-to-skin moments
There are soooo many benefits of skin-to-skin, not just immediately after birth, but honestly forever! Even as adults (probably too much information), but laying skin-to-skin with your spouse can feel so healing and calming.
My baby is 11 months old now, and I still make an effort to have skin-to-skin moments with him.
Holding your baby while they sleep can be a great time for skin-to-skin contact. Breastfeeding and bath time are also two other easy opportunities for this activity.
8. Chillin’ in pac-n-play
Putting your baby in a pack-n-play can be a change for them while also allowing some freedom for you. They are contained in one area (although a newborn doesn’t really move around anyway), and provide a safe space. It can encourage independent play if you need to get something else done, while still being in the same room as them.
You can set them on their back and place toys around their head for them to look at, you can hang a mobile above them, open a book off to the side, place a mirror beside them, etc.
I also really liked to use the pack-n-play to help me get outside. I would sit at the table of our front porch and place the pack-n-play next to me while I did some work or read a book. It gave us both a simple opportunity to get some fresh air!
And of course you aren’t limited to the porch! Just keep your baby safe and comfortable, whatever the weather may be.
9. Explore faces
Get close to your baby and make different expressions on your face, or copy the ones they make. Say different expressions that describe the face you are making, like an “Uh oh!” with a surprised face or a “Yay!” with a happy face.
You can even take their little hands and touch them to your lips, your nose, your eyes, etc. Name the part of your face that they touch
10. Tummy time Together
11. sing Nursery rhymes
12. Blow raspberries
13. Mirror, mirror on the wall
14. Baths
15. Read books- interactively
16. Exercise ball games
17. Tummy time with water
18. Arch toys with piano
19. Baby massage
20. Salt dough hand and footprints
21. Balloons tied around their feet and they kick around
22. Look at pictures- aura frame, pics on fridge
23. Leg exercises
24. sight and sound
This is a fun game that challenges their hearing and their sight. Newborns can only see a short distance in front of them, and their vision expands as they get older.
So, find the distance where they can see you and move from left to right, up and down, and let their eyes follow you. If you move too fast, and they lose sight of you, talk to them, say their name. Let your voice tell them where you are. By listening to your voice, they can practice turning towards the sound, and finding you with their sight once more.
You can continue this game as they grow, eventually putting more and more distance between you and your baby. Pretty soon, you’ll be able to stand across the room from them and talk, and they will turn towards the sound. They will see you and respond.
This was one of the best activities we did that helped my baby learn his name!
25. Baby wearing
This was an activity that I did as often as I could. I loved having my baby close, and I could tell that it was comforting to my little boy. Any time he fell asleep (which is often as a newborn), I would place him securely to my chest with a baby wrap, and go on about my day as he slept soundly by my heart.
Baby wearing increases the connection you feel to your baby, increases the bond you have. It also provides an opportunity for skin-to-skin contact, since you can remove your shirt beneath the wrap and have your baby in their diaper.
26. Swings
This can be indoor or outdoor, depending on what you own at home. You can place your baby in a baby swing, and let them experience the motions and look at their surroundings
There is also the option to swing on the swing set, if you have them in your backyard or if there’s a park nearby. Just use the baby wearing technique to keep them close to you and gently sway in the swings. A hammock or a porch swing are also great options, and those can be either indoor or outdoor!
27. Black and white pattern pictures
It is said that in the beginning, babies see best when patterns and pictures are black and white. There are books you can purchase that have black and white pages specifically for your newborn. You can also print out large images, or draw them yourself. Place them where your baby can look at them and talk to them about what they might be seeing.
28. Explore textures
Newborn babies have little hands that have yet to discover and explore the world! You can help them by introducing them to different textures that you have around the house. You can help them softly touch blankets and scarves, baskets and pillows, clothes and toys.
29. Light play with a flashlight
This activity is perfect to catch your baby’s attention! Simply turn a flashlight off and on in a darkened room, and shine the light on different objects. Cast shadows on the walls and talk to your baby about what they see. Make hand puppets on the walls as well!
30. Baby sit-ups
This is a fun way to strengthen your baby’s neck muscles! You lay them on their back on a towel or a blanket and sit down in front of them. Make sure their head and neck are on the blanket, not hanging off the edge. You take the two corners that are near their head and gently pull them towards you, lifting your baby’s head, neck, and torso. Then you lay them back down. They do a mini sit-up this way!
*Don’t lift them too far forward, since they can’t support themselves yet.
31. Eye contact
If you have every made eye contact with anyone, you know how powerful and connecting it can be. Same with your little baby. It can build affection, connection, trust, love, and attachment.
I remember making eye contact with my baby boy for the first time, and how emotional I became because of the intense feelings of love I felt. And the more you make eye contact with them, the stronger that love becomes between you and your baby.
32. Watch the cars drive by
My little boy is fascinated by cars and the way they drive by. They always capture his attention. If you live next to the road, you can sit at the window with your baby and look outside together at the hustle and bustle. Maybe it’s not just cars, but people, too. Maybe some dogs. And if you want to take it outside, then take a walk along the sidewalk of a busier road, one that has slightly more traffic than your neighborhood might have.
33. Peek-a-boo! i see you!
A classic game of peek-a-boo, of course! This is probably the go-to game that I see parents, siblings, friends, and strangers play with little babies. I feel like this activity is well known enough that I don’t need to explain it XD
However, for a 0-3 month old baby, you just want to use your hands. You can do different variations that are more involved and more fun when they get older!
Let’s Wrap This Up
The reality is, is that there are PLENTY of things that can keep you and your baby occupied throughout the day! And if you still need help, I’m sure there’s a cute grandma around who would love to entertain the little nugget and give you a break.
And hey, let me know how you and your little one kept busy during those first three months of their life! I’m speaking for all the other moms out there when I say: we all want to know your secrets!
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