5 Week Infant

There isn't a lot you can do with an infant as far as activities go but there are a few.  I researched quiet a bit to figure out how I can best help my infant grow and found out these tips to start at 5 weeks. 

5 Week infant 

• start a routine

This is very important for the coming months and years.  Getting your child to understand there is a time for everything and getting you and the infant on a schedule will make your life easier and less stressful.  

I found that documenting feeding times and nap times over a week to see where you are to start is helpful.  From there you can alter what you need. 

• start day/night time differential 

This is something I didn't realize effected an infant.  We were sleeping with a small night light on so we could see the baby at night.  Make sure she was breathing and such.  After researching I found that having a room that is completely dark will help baby sleep longer and better.  Also, light signals to the brain that it is day time, even if it is not natural light.  Therefore keeping it dark at night will help baby get the longer zzzz's during the night when you want to get them in as well. 

• Let baby sleep alone

I am not one for co-sleeping but this tip is not only for sleeping in the same bed. At this point it is important to start detaching yourself from the infant and the infant from you.  Most moms go back to work around 6 weeks so starting the separation now makes for an easier adjustment for mom and baby.  

Now this isn't saying baby has to sleep alone overtime they sleep but at least 2x a day lay the baby down in their crib or in a different room to fall asleep and wake up alone.  This will also help the baby adjust when it is time for them to sleep full time in a separate room.  

• Tummy time

I love watching my little lady have her tummy time!  This is something that can be started at 4 weeks but by 5 weeks you definitely should have the baby on their tummy for at least 5 min a day. 

• Reading

Now that baby can focus and follow objects with her eyes this is the perfect time to read to her.  Research suggested soft books for this age but beings my little on isn't reaching for the pages yet I read any book that I have around that has eye catching illustrations.  I also have both of my older kids read to her. 

• Mirrors

Mimicking can start at this point so putting baby under a mirror or sitting in front of a mirror with her is great for this age.  Baby's love their reflection.  There are many toys with mirrors so finding a safe mirror for play isn't to difficult.

• Talk

Talk, talk, talk to baby.  She is cooing and making sounds of her own and talking back with her promotes communication.  Singing is also good. 

• Other

some things that we have been doing that I didn't read about. 

I put Little Lady in her saucer already.  She has strong legs and likes to push with her feet so this is a perfect place for her to do this.  She also loves new textures on her feet and the foot area of the saucer is textured.  This also helps her gain more muscle control of her neck.  We stuff a blanket in there with her for a little help propping her up.  This is something you should only do while the baby is being supervised.  It could be very dangerous if baby leans forward into the blanket. 

Little Lady likes to stare at things that move slowly. So we will dangle something over her or move her toys back and forth in front of her.  This keeps her memorized for a good amount of time. 

We will also play soft music for her.  It isn't meant to put her to sleep it is meant to stimulate brain activity.  She enjoys laying awake just listening and cooing along.  Sometimes she bobs to the music. 

Enjoy your week with baby it passes quickly!