Kiddipedia
Having a baby is life changing.
The overwhelming amount of love, the sleep deprivation, the good, the bad and the ugly amount of information all mixed in with the gut wrenching self-doubt. When I had my first baby, I experienced all of those things and more! Somewhere around the 6 month mark though, I felt that I ‘should’ be doing all of these things with my baby. I ‘should’ be going to a class; I should be educating them on this and that. I should be doing more- but what?! I also recently read a post from a new mum, who felt the same and I wanted to just reach out and tell her- your bubba just needs you.
You don’t need a fancy baby class, you don’t need to be out and about every day. It’s exhausting and combined with everything in new motherhood- more exhaustion ain’t what you need.
Here are 3 things you can do easily with your baby to aid their development:
- Talk to them: Your baby will love the sound of your voice. Say their name, make funny noises, tell them what you’re doing and sing little songs to them. I’m sure you will have your own little songs you sing to them already, but don’t be afraid to play different sorts of music to them either. There’s no crime against not playing nursery rhymes or The Wiggles- my first bubba loved Reggae, the second loves Folk!
- Walk with them: The best advice that I had in the back of my head, when I had my first baby was: Go Outside. When you are at home a lot with a new baby, it can feel so overwhelming but getting outside of your four walls can make the problems seem or feel smaller. It is also nice for bubba to get some fresh air, hear the outside noises, the sunshine on their skin or a small amount of breeze on them. There is so much that we as adults overlook in daily life, it is so easy to forget it’s all new for a baby. Also, bonus if you happen to ‘accidentally’ walk past a café and get a treat for yourself or a HOT coffee!
- Play with them: Encourage their new skills. Baby’s are rapidly developing, they can see further, roll over, hear different sounds, begin to sit by themselves, try and swat things, mouth everything and then they begin to move!! Usually new parents are a one income family, so use what you have at home. Babies love sensory things- so stroke them with ribbons, textures scarves, use rattles, tickle them (I am ADDICTED to bubba giggles!) peek a boo, and just enjoy them. Please don’t feel you aren’t educating them or doing enough because you haven’t booked your baby into any classes.
Here’s my advice: don’t look at Instagram, pinterest or facebook for ‘inspiration’. It’s not real life. You’re also not going to damage them if you pop on ABC Kids and take 5 to regain some sanity for yourself.
Your bubba just needs you, cuddle them, hold them, take them all in.
You’ve got this.
You may also like to read:
4 Essential Ingredients for smooth transition to motherhood
5 Things to let go of in parenting that will save your sanity
You know you’re a mum when – part 1
