Playing games with a newborn baby - is that even possible? Don't they just sleep, eat, cry and poop...? (And sleep!)

Well, they do, most of the time. Almost all the time. Newborn babies sleep for around 20 per day, although not consecutive hours as you might have noticed... But if you grab the opportunity once your newborn infant is awake, you'll be amazed by the interaction that is actually possible.

• Imitation Games


Something fascinating about newborn babies is that they can imitate. Pick a moment when your baby is alert and content. Lift him or her up close to your face (since a newborn baby's vision is poor) slowly stick out your tongue. Keep it out for a while and then start all over.

If you give your baby enough time, chances are he'll stick his tongue out as well. He might first look away, as if concentrating on the task, then look back at you and start imitating.

If you think this game is not working, it is probably because you're not giving your baby enough time to try to mimic the funny face you're making. Go slowly! Or try again later.


• Vision Games


A newborn baby can only focus about 8 to 10 inches from his face and many newborn babies are also cross-eyed. Don't worry, in most cases this will pass naturally. You can help your baby to use his eyes by moving a finger object slowly from side to side in front of his eyes.

A black and white patterned object may also be interesting to look at and follow. Newborn babies have a hard time distinguishing other colors. But go slowly, if you move the object too fast, your baby will not be able to follow it.

To practice the combination of seeing and hearing, you can pick or make up a small rhyme or song that you use every time you play this vision game with your baby. Since babies are routine lovers, he may soon recognize the situation and appreciate it even more.


• Hearing Games


Your baby is likely to at least recognize mom's voice from the time before being born. If dad or older siblings spoke a lot and close to mom's belly, you child might also recognize their voices.

Hearing any of you talk or sing and at the same time look into your eyes is fun for a newborn baby. Within a month or two, he'll start showing his appreciation by smiling back and even start "talking" to you. Talking to your baby will also make him feel safe despite his new, strange surroundings outside the uterus.


• Bonding Games


Rock your baby and sing a gentle lullaby. Even take your top off to allow skin contact. Newborn infants have a well developed smell and a sensitive skin, so being close to you, hearing your voice and smell MOM (or dad!), is heaven!

Funny though, newborn babies are not ticklish. So that is a game you can wait with until your baby is a few months old. At around three or four months old, many babies have become very ticklish around their neck and thighs..