The Mom I Want to Be

 

When your baby is two or three months old and can raise and hold up her head, you two can begin a wider range of games.

 

Infant Sit-ups

 

Lay your baby on the floor (or bed) in front of you or in your lap facing you.  Gently pull the baby to a sitting position while holding hands.  Say something like “U-u-up you go,” or “Baby sits up now”.  Even at two months your baby’s head may lag a bit when pulled to a sitting position.  Slowly lower your baby back down, “Dow-w-wn you go”.  Repeat until one of you tires.

 

Infant Stand-Ups

 

At three or four months, lay your baby against a pillow facing you or sitting in your lap.  Firmly grasp her hand and begin counting.  Let your baby know what’s coming so he can anticipate the excitement to come.

 

“Are you ready to stand up now?  Let’s do it!” Slowly count to three, and on three slowly pull the baby to a standing position.  Keep a steady patter of conversation going to lend enthusiasm to the exercise.  By four months, most babies enjoy being upright and you’ll feel your baby pushing down on you while in a standing position.