2020-04-01_Mother_&_Baby

From

newborn

The eye spy

Atthis age, your baby will lie in a tucked-up

position during tummy time. His legs will be

under him, his arms bent beside him, and his

cheekagainst the ground. Encourage him to turn

his head, by lying down beside him (on the side

where he can’t see you) and talking to him. When

he turns and meets your eyes, give him a big

smile and a cuddle. ‘Right now, you’re his very

best toy, so seeing you there will give him

an instant rush of happiness,’ says

Clare. ‘That’s a shortcut to feeling

that tummy time is fun!’

From

three months

Glide, wobble

and roll!

If youhave a big fitness ball, give your baby a

rideby holding him securely, tummy down, on

theball, and rolling it gently backwards and

forwards. ‘Hold his hips securely with cupped

hands as you do it,’ says Clare. ‘Your baby

will enjoy the closeness between you,

the squashy texture of the ball, and

the chance to see the world

from a brand-new

angle!’

From

newborn

Be a boat!

Lie on your back, with your baby

tummy down on top of you. Holding

him close, gently rock from side to

side, like a boat in the sea. ‘When

your baby’s in the womb, he gets

rocked as you move, so this is

a familiar, calming motion,’

says Clare.

From

newborn

Play tiger

in the tree

Lie your baby along one of your arms, with
his head in your elbow. Your arm should
support his weight, while you use your
hand to hold the top of his leg in a secure
position. Use your free hand to rub his
back. This practises tummy time,
feels soothing, and can help to
reduce colic discomfort.

funtummy-time

games

15

From

newborn

Do the curly-

wurly stroke!

When your baby is on his front, put your

fingers together at the base of his neck.

Move them in tiny circles down his

backbone, down to his bottom. ‘Touch is

a key sense to support bonding,’ says

Clare. ‘Your baby can feel the love

you’re giving him, which helps

him to relax and enjoy the

position he’s in.’

T UM M Y

TIME

Special