Books/activities for newborn

[Anonymous]

FTM here--can anyone recommend good board books and activities to keep a newborn entertained and develop his mind? I have an almost 1 month old and would like to get some developmentally appropriate books/activities.

[Anonymous]

Perhaps you should do some research on what a 1 month old is capable of seeing/understanding.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Perhaps you should do some research on what a 1 month old is capable of seeing/understanding.

+1

[Anonymous]

you should read up on baby development to get a realistic sense of what they can absorb/learn and how far they can even see.

that said, babies that little don't do well distinguish color and white/black contrasts are good, so this was my baby's favorite:


http://www.amazon.com/Look-Peter-Linenthal/dp/0525420282

[Anonymous]

OK, I was the +1, but I feel a bit bad for it. Read any type of book to your newborn. It's the sound of your voice, not the plot line or even the pictures at one month old. Get a mobile to hang over his/her crib/pack 'n play. Maybe play music. Get a mat for tummy time. Supposedly they can make out black and white designs best, but we had just had colorful stuff.

[Anonymous]

Agree with the black/white contrast

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OK, I was the +1, but I feel a bit bad for it. Read any type of book to your newborn. It's the sound of your voice, not the plot line or even the pictures at one month old. Get a mobile to hang over his/her crib/pack 'n play. Maybe play music. Get a mat for tummy time. Supposedly they can make out black and white designs best, but we had just had colorful stuff.

Agree with all this, but I'm a bit worried OP is going more for the ..."I want my baby to be reading by the time he's 1" type of mentality

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OK, I was the +1, but I feel a bit bad for it. Read any type of book to your newborn. It's the sound of your voice, not the plot line or even the pictures at one month old. Get a mobile to hang over his/her crib/pack 'n play. Maybe play music. Get a mat for tummy time. Supposedly they can make out black and white designs best, but we had just had colorful stuff.

Agree with all this, but I'm a bit worried OP is going more for the ..."I want my baby to be reading by the time he's 1" type of mentality

Agreed, that is why I put the +1 at first. Ugh.

[Anonymous]

I think OP is just bored. OP, wear baby in a carrier, and talk and sing to them all day. Go outside, go to the store, meet people. More stimulation than they'll get from the perfectly developmentally appropriate toy.

[Anonymous]

Find a book you enjoy and read that out loud. It doesn't matter if it's Dickens or Danielle Steele: it's the sound of your voice that's important.

[Anonymous]

At one-month old, read him whatever you're reading. He likes the sound of your voice. Sing to him. Hold him. Put him in a carrier and take him for a walk or to the store.

Newborns are pretty easy to entertain--they've never seen anything before!

[Anonymous]

Get this book - http://www.amazon.com/Black-White-Tana-Hoban/dp/0061172111/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1392233976&sr=8-1&keywords=black+and+white+book

It expands. It is just black and white pictures. Great for newborns - they love to look at it.

Then order this book: http://www.amazon.com/Itsy-Bitsy-Yoga-Longer-Stronger-ebook/dp/B002XQAAQI/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1392234013&sr=8-1&keywords=itsy+bitsy+yoga

Great songs and movements to do with babies from birth`. Yes, in the beginning this is mostly just something for you to do with your baby. over time they will start to enjoy it a lot too!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think OP is just bored. OP, wear baby in a carrier, and talk and sing to them all day. Go outside, go to the store, meet people. More stimulation than they'll get from the perfectly developmentally appropriate toy.

Agree.

Also, there is controversy over weather you need to be constantly talking to your infant. I am of the opinion that you do not need to tell your baby everything you're doing and constantly be talking to them, however many people do this and I doubt it's harmful. I chat a bit and coo but I'm not talking 100% of the time. Singing is fun too. No need to actually sing baby songs but if that's what you like it's fine too.

Baby will learn plenty from just doing your daily thing. Obviously don't leave them in their infant seat all day long but if you're wearing them or carrying them, they'll learn plenty. I run errands, get coffee, take care of things around the house, walk the dog, etc. I doubt there's actual need to do anything infant specific at this age. That's not to say it's [/i]bad[i] to read or play with your baby. If that's what works best for you to bond with your baby then go for it! Just know that at the end of the day you realize you haven't read your baby a book or sat and played with their toys, don't feel bad!

[Anonymous]

*whether

[Anonymous]

I don't think you need to talk to your baby all day; I certainly never did. I sang to her while she was nursing, read out loud to her from whatever book I was reading, and talked to her throughout the day but certainly not constantly. I wore her around when I went for walks or met friends for lunch. People really overestimate how much extra stimulation babies need--the world is really stimulating to them just as it is.