Games Babies Play

You might have read the title of this article and thought I was going to instruct you on old fashioned nursery rhymes and finger plays to entertain your new little one. The truth of the matter is that play time with baby starts long before labor day.

As the fetus develops during pregnancy there are many ways to increase brain stimulation and have a lot of fun doing that. While we know that spontaneous movements begin very early on, much sooner than we can usually feel, the baby is also developing many organ systems.

Games & Senses

Hearing

By the time your baby is 18-20 weeks through pregnancy his or her hearing is intact and you can talk to the baby. This may seem a bit abstract for some, particularly daddies, but once they get into it it can be a lot of fun and lends itself to games later on. If you're fearful of what to say or how to say it consider reading to your baby. Slightly older children may also really enjoy this game.

Any children's book works really well. There are even a few books that you can read that are written just for this purpose. My favorite happens to be: Oh Baby! The Places You'll Go! A Book to be Read In Utero by Dr. Seuss and Friends. My husband even read the newspaper to one of our children! Simply hearing your voice is soothing and fun for baby.

Another important note is that when babies get used to hearing certain voices while in the womb, these are the voices that they respond to and turn to outside of the womb.

Music is another great one. Some people buy fancy listening devices or use walkmans on their bellies, but just being in a room with music exposes the baby to the sounds. With the push for classical music for babies and their brain development it's not a bad idea to add some in there, but flavor is also good. Remember, listening to your favorite music, the stuff that makes you want to dance and sing in your car, is the stuff that will help release endorphins (hormones that produce a feeling of well being for you and baby) into your body.

I also have to add a small section on noise in general. With my first child I noticed at about 8 months that when I went to get out of the bath tub that the drain made a loud clinking noise when I disengaged it. I felt the baby jump right after I did this. At first I thought it was a coincidence. I tried it again and sure enough, she jumped again!

Touch

The majority of moms will be feeling their baby move by 24 weeks. Shortly after this point the movements become detectable by others on the outside. This is a great opportunity to pull dad, siblings or others into the pregnancy. Finally, proof other than your expanding abdomen, that the baby is inside!

My husband started the game from talking to the baby. One day he was leaning down and speaking to the baby through my belly and the baby kicked where he had laid his cheek. Kevin took his hand and pressed back. The baby kicked. Kevin moved his hand and tried again. Baby obliged and moved around to kick that spot too. Now the game is a must for all pregnancies. What Hilary started nearly 9 years ago with Kevin has been a game passed down through all of the babies in our family including the current one, who is just beginning to master the game.

Young children enjoy this game immensely as does anyone who has ever laid their hands on a pregnant belly. By bringing even the youngest child or oldest family member into the "game" we begin to see the bonds appear.

Playing with your baby is often instinctual. Don't get over wrought with how or when to play with your baby, most people will find that it will come naturally. Remember, the key is to have fun and enjoy your baby.

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