Baby's awakening in the first months

Your divine child has been born! As good parents, you obviously want the best for them. But how can you gently help them awaken to the world around them and support them in growing up well? Charlie Crane has explored the subject thoroughly: in this article we summarise all the key stages of the first months and explain why specific equipment is essential.
L’éveil de bébé les premiers mois

The right conditions

A baby needs their parents to survive, but also to grow up well! It is through interacting with your child that they will develop their ability to move, grasp objects and discover the outside world. Your baby needs a safe environment adapted to their motor development. And yes, that means you'll need to hide your vases, lock your cupboards — at least for a while…

The must-haves for a baby who is awakening to the world are:

  • The play mat: a large, soft play surface that insulates from the cold.
  • The play gym: to stimulate your baby’s vision and motor skills. It also lets your baby play fairly “independently,” since they don’t need you to pick up toys that fall.
  • The baby bouncer: a little seat where your baby can watch what’s going on around them. Handy when you need to get things done, or even for feeding your baby when they’re just starting solids.

From 1 to 4 months

In the first month, your baby gently awakens and becomes aware of their body. Their vision is still blurry but they can distinguish colours, even those of a play mat they might be lying on. They listen a lot and recognise their parents' voices, which they heard so often in the womb. You can play and make vocalisations, whispers, onomatopoeia (you know, when you look a little gaga talking to your baby?!), smiles, coos, caresses… when they are in your arms, lying on their back on their play mat, in the bouncer, during bath time or during a nappy change.

The goal? To interact, introduce them to new sensations and build a bond with them.

At this age, your baby gets tired very quickly. Even looking at things can wear them out. If they turn their head away, it’s not that they don’t want to look anymore—they need a rest. So don’t hesitate to put them back in their cradle or their crib for a well-deserved nap. Of course, your baby is also less receptive when they’re hungry. You’ll soon learn to read these signs, and it’s important to respect them so you don’t overstimulate your baby… It would be a shame to miss naptime!

From around 2–3 months, you can help strengthen their head control (super important!) by occasionally placing them on their tummy on their play mat to play with them. They lift their head, they start to smile… Soon enough, we promise, they'll give you a poker face worthy of Al Pacino!

From 4 to 8 months

Your baby is starting to use their hands.

Bring on the play gym, the rattles, and all those fascinating toys that make noise, can be grabbed and go straight into baby’s mouth!

Your child also discovers the world through taste and their mouth. Some babies even suck… their feet. No need to worry — let them do it, they're having a great time! Vary the positions for your baby on their play mat. On their back or on their tummy to train their head control. Are you busy? Place your baby in their bouncer on the floor and let them watch you. Place the arch above them during playtime. The arch has a great advantage for both of you: toys that finally don't fall and don't need to be picked up! It also seems that washing machines fascinate some babies…

Finally, this is the great discovery of their own body. Accompany this learning journey by multiplying the guessing games: who does this little nose belong to, these little hands, these little legs? And as in the first months, make sure to respect their moments of tiredness by regularly leaving them in peace.

Want to go further? We recommend the following reading:

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