Carefully watch your baby’s sleep/wake/activity schedule for clues as to when he is most likely to be responsive to parent interaction. Sometimes he’ll be fussy, or seem over stimulated by your efforts. Other times he may be more receptive. Often, these receptive times are shortly after waking from a nap and having a feed. But you are your baby’s best expert. Try to figure out when he’s most approachable.
Then, make a conscious effort to play “baby games” during these times of approachability. Try to match his energy level and catch his gaze. Follow his lead: if he coos and looks away, try to respond in kind. You want to reinforce any efforts on his part, even brief eye contact that might be just one or two seconds long. Each baby is different; perhaps your baby is more auditory and responds well to your cooing back, other babies might be better reinforced by a brief touch to the face or hand, or from a big returned smile. Experiment, and see which response generates another round of interaction from your baby.
Don’t give up if your baby continues to avert his gaze. Take a deep breath if you start to worry, and try to be as available as you can for “baby games.” Give him time and keep trying.
Carefully watch your baby’s sleep/wake/activity schedule for clues
as to when he is most likely to be responsive to parent
interaction. Sometimes he’ll be fussy, or seem over stimulated by
your efforts. Other times he may be more...
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Dr. Heather Wittenberg answered:Carefully watch your baby’s sleep/wake/activity schedule for clues as to when he is most likely to be responsive to parent interaction. Sometimes he’ll be fussy, or seem over stimulated by your efforts. Other times he may be more receptive. Often, these receptive times are shortly after waking from a nap and having a feed. But you are your baby’s best expert. Try to figure out when he’s most approachable.
