Don't be afraid of early exploration

by Suhaifa Naidoo July 21, 2017 0 Comments

When my daughter was born, there were many things that frightened me; am I feeding her enough, is she too warm, is she too cold, am I over stimulating her, am I stimulating her enough? All these questions can flood one's mind and it honestly becomes all consuming. The one thing I was particularly afraid of was taking her out of the house too soon. So, for many months I kept her hidden away from the world as if she were my very own Rapunzel. I thought it was for the best but little did I know what harm I was actually causing.

You see, babies need stimulation. Stimulating their senses, hearing and sight can help babies learn and grow. According to Health First, infant stimulation can improve your baby’s curiosity, attention span, memory, and nervous system development. In addition, babies who are stimulated reach developmental milestones faster, have better muscle coordination, and a more secure self image. If I had known this, I would have probably started exposing the world to my daughter much earlier.

Your baby can be stimulated through many activities at home as well, but as a new mother, time is always limited and many of us simply find it difficult to start a routine with our little ones (especially if it’s your first child).

There are many ways to stimulate your child's senses and this can be achieved through sound, taste, smell, sight etc. Give your baby toys with contrasting patterns and colors, or hang them in the crib. I am particularly fond of the mirasa danglers and wrist rattles. The mirasa wrist rattles are designed to make any outing fun-filled for children and parents too and the danglers are the perfect addition to your baby's crib.

The next step for stimulation, outside of the home, is introducing sights and sounds to your baby. Taking them on a stroll through the park or neighbourhood is an excellent start. My one year old daughter loves watching the older kids play and even waves at the cars going by. Be weary that sometimes the same repetitive sight can bore them, so make sure you carry some toys with you. I also make certain that her favourite blanket is next to her during her strolls. This helps bring the sense of familiarity along with her, wherever she may be. I am a huge fan of the soft and cozy mirasa blankets, especially because it’s organic and eco-friendly. These blankets are perfect for a ride in the stroller, or playtime at the park especially because of how durable it is.

If you’re a new mum and still stuck in the house, I encourage you to get your baby into their stroller and do a quick walk around the block. Not only is it great for your baby but it will definitely help your stress levels too.

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