What can you really do with someone who cannot focus their eyes, sit up on their own, or communicate their thoughts? Here are some ideas that you can do even in the first month of infancy.

1. Face time
Try this other way of tummy time. Place your baby on their belly on your chest and talk to them or sing songs. Your voice will encourage them to lift their head. The physical contact and closeness will make their tummy time a more pleasing experience.

2. Fun while folding clothes
The time you do this chore can also be time spent with your baby. The process of folding clothes can stimulate the senses — the colors of the shirts, the rush of air as you shake out a towel, the requisite game of peekaboo as you lift and drop a blanket. You can talk with baby as you go, about the colors, textures, and use for different items.

3. Stretch, pedal and tickle
Lay baby on the crib or a blanket, gently hold their hands while you move their arms up, out to the side, and around. Squeeze those adorable toes and pedal their legs (this one is also great for gassy babies). Gentle massage and tickles from the bottoms of their feet to the top of their head can be fun. You can also introduce some simple toys like a rattle, high-contrast stuffed toy, or an unbreakable mirror. Hold them close enough for your baby to focus and give them a chance to reach for and touch the items while you play.

4. Dance, dance, dance
Babies love motion and find it soothing. You can cradle baby in your arms or ‘wear’ them using a body carrier. Put on some tunes and scoop or sling your little one. Dance and bounce around the living room, you can also work in some time to straighten up the house or make some phone calls while you move and groove.

5. Read aloud
Of course, newborns do not understand the words you will say but hearing your voice can do wonders for them. Content is not important but how you say it matters. So read whatever you like out loud complete with the proper inflections. Reading early and often is shown to promote brain development, increase processing speed, and increase vocabulary.

6. Sing a song
Whether it is a lullaby at bedtime or a BTS playlist, go ahead and belt it out. Your baby is not going to judge your pitch; they just like the familiar sound of your voice. You can also do this when you are sneaking in a shower with a fussy baby waiting impatiently. Bring your baby close to you in the bathroom and put on an impromptu concert while you shower.

7. Give them a break
You do not have to be "on" for all your infant’s waking hours. Just as adults can benefit from some downtime, infants need a balance of stimulation and quiet time to process their environment. If your baby is awake and content, it is perfectly okay to let them hang out in their crib or in another safe spot while you get some well-deserved time for yourself.