month 3:

Continue to explore daily movement

Greetings

Even if your baby’s movements seem random and uncoordinated, important development is taking place. That “random” waving of arms and legs is gradually building their strength and coordination, together with all the neural connections in the brain that support that coordination. That’s why it’s important to give your baby lots of time to move freely, unrestrained by car seats, swings, or bouncy chairs.

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Activities that you can do

Here are some activities that you can try with your baby this month.

1. Ride a bike

Lay your baby on their back. Slowly move your baby's legs as if they're pedaling a bicycle. This helps your baby to become aware of their legs and how it feels to move them.

2. Parent and baby aquafit classes

Does your recreation centre offer swimming pool exercise classes for parents with babies? These are great for developing your baby’s strength and movement abilities.

If you're in need of even more activity ideas for your baby now, or over the next several months, check out this comprehensive list of indoor activity ideas for infants.

Remember: If your baby begins to fuss or cry during any of these activities, it might be a sign that they're hungry or need a rest.

Tips for your own self-care

All babies love to be held, but some seem to have a greater need for it. If your baby is one of those that wants to be held all the time, it can make it hard for you to get things done. One magic solution? Babywearing. Using a sling or special harness, you can hold your baby close to your heart while keeping your hands free to do whatever you want to get done. Many babies love the gentle rocking of the sling when Mom or Dad walks around. Don’t be surprised if yours dozes off!

Things to watch for this month

These are some of the things that your baby might be doing this month:

Stretching arms and legs
Rolling over from back to side
Holding head up to search for sounds and movement
Discovering feet and hands
Holding objects longer
Swiping with arms
Bearing weight on legs briefly

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Disclaimer: The activities provided in this newsletter are for educational purposes only. If you choose to proceed, do so with caution and at your own risk.

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