Learning, Play and Your Newborn

Your newborn may not seem to be ready to learn and play, but all of his senses are working, and he's taking in the sensations, sounds, sights, and scents of his world. Since you comprise most of your newborn's world, teach him that it is a safe and loving one: fill his senses with lots of smiles, soothing sounds, and gentle caresses.
What will my baby learn?
A parent's face is a newborn's first and most wonderful "toy." Your baby will love to fixate on your face, and it will be all the entertainment he needs for now. Provide plenty of smiles, and talk to him so he becomes familiar with your voice.
Your baby is curious about noises he hears, but none more so than your voice. He will learn very quickly to associate your voice with the things he needs: food, warmth, touch. He will listen carefully when you talk to him. If you react enthusiastically to the little noises he makes, he'll learn that you want him to express himself.
You will learn to recognize when your baby is alert and ready to learn and play and when he'd rather be left alone. Sometimes your baby will need to protect himself from overstimulation by "shutting down" for a bit.
What should I do?
Your newborn loves attention. Talk to him, read to him, stroke and cuddle him, and cover him with kisses to promote bonding and recognition.
Even infants enjoy music and enjoy being read to. In fact, it seems that some babies actually remember songs and stories they heard repeatedly while still in the womb! But even if the song or story is not familiar to your baby, he will find it soothing.
Give your newborn simple toys that appeal to his sight, hearing, and touch. These include unbreakable crib mirrors, rattles, textured toys and musical toys. Choose toys and mobiles with contrasting colors and patterns; red and black patterns seem to appeal to newborns. A newborn's eyesight isn't very well developed, and strong contrasts will help him focus on his surroundings and keep his interest longer. Don't go overboard, though - offer your baby one plaything at a time. Too many can lead to confusion and overstimulation.
Play is not "play" to babies and children; play is how they learn about the world. Here are some ways to play with your newborn, but be sure to invent your own ways:
Dancing: Put on some music with a beat. Hold your baby's face close to your own, and gently sway and move to the tune. Feel free to sing softly.
Name game: Touch and name all the parts of your baby's body as he watches you. Make a game out of it by jumping from foot to foot or hand to hand.
Cuddling: Cradle your baby in your lap and gently stroke him in different rhythmic patterns.
Should I be concerned?
If you have any questions about your newborn's ability to see or hear, you should bring them to your doctor's attention immediately. Even newborns can be tested using sophisticated equipment, if necessary. The sooner a potential problem is caught, the better it can be treated.