Tips, Tools & New Baby Schedule to Survive Quarantine
Hello Parents!
Know this… YOU are doing AMAZING during this time. This is not easy and I want you to know you’re supported. I’m here to give you some tips and tricks for things to do with your baby (6 months and younger) during our nations Stay at Home order.
Sing and Dance
Studies show that singing and dancing with your baby gives your baby brainpower and supports all areas of development: Social and emotional, motor, language, and literacy. Music also helps spark intellectual development as well as language and early math development.
My favorite songs to sing and dance to are:
1) C is for cookie by Cookie Monster
2) Everybody loves the Sunshine - Roy Ayers Ubiquity
3) You are my sunshine
4) Baby Shark (who doesn’t love a good dance party)
5) This Little Piggy
Tummy Time Activities
Tummy time is important for all babies no matter their age but all tummy time activities should be AGE APPROPRIATE and supervised.
Newborn 0-1 month
Add a TT session after every diaper change.
Break up sessions with short breaks - roll baby to side lying or onto back.
Lotion Massages
Black and White Picture Play
Newborn 2-3 Months
Activity gyms are great for babies.
Tissue Paper Kicking
Water Kicking
Baby Pull-Ups
Newborns 4months +
Ballon Kicks
Mirror Tummy Time
Water Play with Hands
Hanging Teether Toys
Set up a Space Outside
Babies love outside and if you can set up a play space on your porch, back or front yard do it!
Indoor/Outdoor Activity Tools
Below are my favorite toys for babies that can be easily used outside as well. (all easily avail on Amazon):
Skip Hop Explore and More Baby's View 3-Stage Interactive Activity Center, Multi-Color, 4 Months
Implement that Schedule
Now is the time to do it. Having a schedule for your baby will be a game charger not only for baby but for YOURSELF. You can time block your day and it won’t seem as if it’s never ending. Here’s a sample schedule for 0-4 months (schedule is based on AGE APPROPRIATE readiness and must be adjusted to your baby’s needs)
6:45-7:00a - Wake
7:00-7:30- Feed
7:30-8:30- Play Time
8:30-10a-Nap
10:00-10:30a-Feed
10:30-11:30a- Playtime
11:30a-1p- Nap
1-1:30p- Feed
1:30p-2:30- Playtime
2:30-4:00- Nap
4-4:30p-Feed
4:30-6:30 Playtime
6:30-7p Bedtime
Lastly, but MOST importantly…
Self care for YOURSELF
As these tips are for activities to do with your baby thought out the day do not abandon yourself during these times. If you have a partner lean on them more than ever and create a shift schedule as you would at work. It keeps each parent fresh and not burnt out with daily responsibilities. If you are a single parent you can do the same!
What self care looks like during this time:
Showering
Talking to someone
Taking moments for yourself
Journaling
Eating
Taking a walk outside
Sitting in fresh air
Online shopping (lol)
Having a snack you don’t usually have
Disconnecting from social media and news outlets
DOING NOTHING.
Hopefully these tips helped and I’m looking forward to my next blog post!
Julia Mitchell aka Your Parent Mentor
Follow me @mitchellnewborncare
And visit mitchellnewborn.com
