5 ways to stimulate your baby’s brain development
If your newborn could talk, here’s what they’d ask you for
There are a number of simple ways you can stimulate your baby’s brain development, says Maral Amani.
The human brain has 100 billion nerve cells, all of which are present at birth but have few links between them. Babies’ brains develop by creating an intricate network between these cells. Research shows that there are certain types of experiences you can give your baby to build those lasting connections. And the good news is, they’re all easy to do.
Pediatric Physical Therapist and Lovevery Child Development Expert, Maral Amani shares simple ways to support child development in the early weeks of life.
If your newborn could talk, here’s what they’d ask you for to help with these five ways to stimulate their brain development:
How to boost your baby’s brain development
1. Introduce high-contrast images
Decades of research shows that time spent looking at high-contrast images can contribute to the development of a baby’s visual perception – their brain’s ability to receive, interpret, and respond to visual stimuli. Until about the fifth month, babies use their eyes as a primary source of information for how the world works.
You can help develop your baby’s brain-eye connection by gradually varying the intensity of the light (avoid strong lights, such as direct sun). You can use a dimmer switch, a low lamp, or curtains when your baby is alert. Since babies are drawn to high-contrast images, you can use them to develop your baby’s eyes:
Start with simple images up to 12 inches away from your baby’s face (about the distance from your wrist to your elbow). Hold the images steady and try not to switch them until your baby looks away, a sign that they’re losing interest. You may notice your baby staring at the images for many seconds, even minutes at a time.
When they lose interest in an image, change to a new one and eventually switch to more complex images as their eyes grow stronger.
You can help promote visual tracking by slowly moving an image back and forth horizontally in front of their face to help them practice following a moving object with their eyes. This is an important skill they will later use for reading, writing, and hand-eye coordination.
Offer high-contrast images in the car, during tummy time, and during awake “play” times for the first few months.
Lovevery has created printable high-contrast images, free to download here. Tape them up near your baby’s diaper-changing station or attach them to the sides of The Lovevery Play Gym.
2. Help stretch out from womb position
After all that time in the womb, it’s important for new babies to stretch out of the fetal position and use their muscles in new ways. Offering a variety of positions throughout the day can help your baby build muscle strength, avoid flat spots on their head, and help their brain start to understand where their body is positioned in space.
Baby carriers, car seats, baby swings, and strollers are amazing and very necessary at times, but try to give your baby some time on a flat surface every day where their body can move freely without restrictions.
Tip to avoid flat spots and help your baby gain strength
Babies are generally born with a preference for turning their head to one side – matching their position in the womb – so it’s important to help your baby learn to turn both ways.
As a newborn, your baby won’t yet have the strength to hold their head straight in the middle of their body. Be sure to switch sides occasionally by gently turning their head.
Alternate which arm you hold your baby in to encourage looking both ways. Your loving face will motivate them to turn and look at you.
Change your baby’s sleeping position in the cot daily, alternating the side you place them on.
Side lying is also good for your baby, and is usually less frustrating than tummy time can be. Lying on their side helps your baby build strength in their back and belly, and also encourages them to bring their hands together – an important developmental step.
Here’s how to do it:
- Roll up a blanket and use it to prop your baby on their side, supporting their back (always with your supervision).
- Place a stimulating toy in front of them.
- Eventually, switch to the other side – and repeat.
3. Use the sound of your voice
There’s a strong link between the number of words spoken to a child from birth and their later vocabulary skills. In the first few months, your baby is constantly listening to the intonation, rhythm, and patterns of your voice.
Spend time communicating face-to-face with your baby so they can watch your mouth and expressions as you speak. Even though they can’t understand what you’re saying yet, their brain is laying the groundwork for acquiring language.
Tips for talking to your baby
Go on a “house tour.” When your baby is awake, carry them around your house and talk about what you’re seeing and experiencing. House tours are often a favourite activity for the first year. As they get older, let them explore cause and effect by switching a light on and off or pushing a door closed as you hold them.
Talk aloud to your baby about what you’re doing together – just narrate your day. Use changing time as an opportunity to talk face to face.
Make eye contact and respond to their cues. If they start to coo or vocalise, reciprocate and talk back to them. “Serve and return” interactions between you and your baby are an evidence-backed way to build your baby’s brain and support their social-emotional and language development.
4. Skin-on-skin time
Skin-on-skin time offers a huge array of benefits to your baby: better digestion, temperature regulation, weight gain, improved immunity, improved sleep, and even brain growth. There are benefits for parents as well: feel-good hormones are released when you and your baby have direct skin contact.
Tips for skin to skin contact
Your light touch is great for skin-on-skin contact. Massage for babies is most calming from the centre of their bodies out, so start with your baby’s chest and move out to their legs and arms. Make sure the room is warm and use dark or older towels under and around your baby.
Feeding time is a great opportunity for skin-on-skin time. Strip your baby down to a nappy, take your shirt off, and use a blanket over your shoulders for warmth. Before you get undressed, try to remember to use the bathroom, get a glass of water, your phone, a book, or anything else you want handy in case your baby falls asleep and you want to relax together.
Skin-on-skin works great for dads, moms, and even supervised siblings. If you’re feeling down, worried, or anxious – and what new parent isn’t sometimes? – skin-on-skin contact will release oxytocin, a natural antidote. If they’re awake, this is also a great chance for tummy time.
5. Tummy Time
In the early weeks of life, you can start placing your newborn on their belly. Tummy time is shown to support motor development and assists in preventing flat spots on the back of your baby’s head.
As a newborn, your baby will likely prefer tummy time on your body (on chest, lap) because it is a natural way to engage with them for co-regulation and comfort. How long your baby spends in tummy time each day depends on their age, how often they’re awake, how comfortable they are on their bellies, their temperament, and the day’s events.
Ideas for how to start tummy time
Start at an incline while on your chest so that your baby’s shoulders are higher than their hips. An inclined tummy time position will make it easier for them to lift their head up.
Instead of placing them directly on their tummy, start on their back and slowly roll your baby onto their tummy with arms tucked under their shoulders.
Newborns like to have their head to one side while awake and on their belly, mimicking their position in the womb. High-contrast black and white cards in Lovevery’s Standing Card Holder are great here. Remember to turn their head to practice on both sides.
Opt for multiple short bouts of tummy time throughout your day, instead of longer sessions. Consider rolling your baby onto their tummy for a few moments after you change their nappy or carrying them tummy down in your arms.
Pay attention to your baby’s cues – fussing, hunger or sleepy signs. If they seem to be getting tired or start crying, it’s time for a break. Simply roll your baby out of tummy time when they indicate they are done.
Maral Amani, PT, DPT, is a Child Development Expert at Lovevery, whose mission it is to give families a support system for a brighter future through their stage-based early learning system.
