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 thrive! 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 hiding your vases, double-locking your cupboards — at least for a while…

The must-haves for a baby who is waking up 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 relatively “independently”, as they don’t need you to pick up toys that fall down.
  • The baby bouncer: a little seat from which your baby can watch the world around them. Handy when you need to get on with things, or even for feeding your baby when you first start weaning.

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 that of a play mat they might be lying on. They listen a great deal and recognise their parents' voices, which they heard so much 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, and gentle strokes… whether they are in your arms, lying on their back on their play mat, in their 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. Looking at things can wear them out. If they turn their head away, it’s not that they don’t want to look any more; they need a rest. So don’t hesitate to put them back in their cradle or their cot for a well-earned little nap. Of course, your baby will also be less responsive 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 nap time!

From around 2–3 months, you can start stimulating their head control (super important!) by placing them tummy-down on their play mat from time to time to play together. They're lifting their head, starting 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.

Time for the play gym, rattles and all those toys that make noises, can be grabbed and put in the mouth, and are utterly fascinating!

Your baby also discovers the world through taste and their mouth. Some babies even suck… their feet. No need to worry — just let them get on with it, they're having a great time! Vary your baby's positions on their play mat. On their back or tummy to train their head. Are you busy? Place your baby in their bouncer on the floor and let them watch you. Put the play 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 picking up! Apparently, the washing machine also fascinates some babies…

Finally, it's the great discovery of their own body. Support this learning by multiplying the guessing games: whose little nose is this, whose little hands, whose little legs? And as in the first months, make sure you respect those moments of tiredness by regularly letting them rest quietly.

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