Stimulating newborns /young babies - when to start?

[thegirlinthesassyspace]

hi there, i know this is a ridiculously early time to think about stimulation and playing/playtime for my twins - given the are just 9 days old .. - but would any mums be able to share with me what they know about starting to stimulate their babies pls?
My dh and I are keen to take the girls out and are aware of things going on at the local children's centre (which say they are suitable for 0 - 6 monthers) as well...
we also have a playmat and various things at home ....
So,,,, what is a reasonable timeframe for thinnking about starting this kind of thing?
Thx all
xx

Congrats! It's never too early to start them going to a little baby singing class - they basically just sit on your lap and take it all in but it's just nice to get out and about and meet other mums and dads.

I took DD to the cinema at 3 weeks, but that was more for my benefit.

Not sure how you'd do it with two, mind!

I read stories to my DD, sang songs and generally narrated my day to her from the first day. My dd had colic and screamed for most of the day, so it was partly to help me to stay sane. I would lay her on a play mat with some dangly toys above her to stimulate her too. I really do not think it is ever too early. I am sure my constant babble is why dd is so chatty!

My mum read something about stimulating babies' neural pathways when they are newborn just before her first grandchild (my nephew) was born and so she has tried to stimulate each of the 4 of them when they were been tiny, She'd do stuff like running their hands under the tap and waving balloons in their faces. I googled it and there's some info here. My favourite quote: "The more stimulation the brain receives, the more sophisticated its dendritic networks become." er... eh?!

You can overstimulate small babies!

Going out for a walk every day is a good way to make life interesting for them, but otherwise...loving faces/voices are the most stimulating things for very small babies. They will soon let you know when they are bored!

I suspect you will spend more time trying to wind them down than wind up, speaking as a mum of twins (now 10). Also twins find each other very interesting, so you are ahead there.

I'd be more wary of over stimulation myself. The whole world is new to them so doing your normal everyday things will present new sensory experiences -new sounds as you go for a walk, different smells in different houses, cooking, textures etc!

I agree with PP, babies can easily be overstimulated. Talk to them, cuddle them, you are all they need right now. Look after yourself, try and get sleep when you can- a happy mummy is seriously the best thing you can provide for your babies' happiness.