5 Activities You Can Do After Feeding Baby
- After feeding Baby, choose low-movement activities that keep them upright for 15 to 30 minutes.
- Reading books and singing nursery rhymes are great communication activities to try after feedings before Baby goes to sleep.
- Stimulate Baby’s senses with different sensory toys or play stacking games on their high chair tray.
Once Baby is fed, what activities are best for play time on a full belly? Immediately after eating, Baby will be more likely to spit up until they are able to sit up on their own. That’s why it’s important to burp Baby and choose low-movement activities that keep Baby upright for 15 to 30 minutes. These five activities are perfect for Baby to do on your lap or in their high chair in their first year!
1. Read Books to Baby
Reading is a great activity for Baby at any age, as it helps develop Baby’s language and communication skills. Have Baby sit upright on your lap as you read to them. Here are some tips for reading to Baby in their first year:
- Board books make it easier for Baby to help turn the pages.
- No need to read all the words! You can simply point to the pictures and talk about them.
- Books with high contrast colors are best while Baby’s vision is still developing.
- Make it a sensory experience by using books with different textures.
- Try reading in a high-pitched, sing-song voice to keep Baby engaged and help with their language development.
2. Sing Nursery Rhymes with Baby
If Baby uses a high chair, this is the perfect hands-free activity for when you need a break after feeding! Nursery rhymes promote Baby’s language learning because of their rhythmic speech and patterns. They are also a great way to follow feedings before Baby’s bedtime due to their soothing melodies.
Bonus activity: As you sing, try clapping Baby’s hands to the beat. This will help Baby work on their motor and communication skills!
3. Play with Different Sensory Toys
This is a fun way to stimulate Baby’s senses besides taste! Gather a variety of toys* that look, sound, and feel different, such as:
- Stuffed animals with soft, fuzzy, or rough fur
- A chilled teething ring (also helps if Baby is sore from teething)
- Balls with bumps, ridges, or spikes
- Toys that crinkle or squeak
- Baby musical instruments
As Baby touches and plays with each toy, describe them in simple words: fuzzy, loud, bumpy, cold, squishy, etc. This will also help expand their vocabulary once they start talking!
*Make sure the toys you use don’t have small, loose pieces and are larger than Baby’s mouth to prevent choking.
4. Use a Mirror to Teach Baby About Their Body
This is a simple play idea that helps Baby recognize their own face and the body parts they use every day! You can use a small Baby mirror, or hold Baby in front of the bathroom mirror so they can see your face, too. Point to different body parts on you and Baby as you say their names and what they do.
Bonus activity: Add to the fun by making silly faces! See if Baby copies you when you stick out your tongue or open your mouth wide to look surprised. You can also help Baby learn about the emotions that go with the faces you make; for example, if they mimic your big smile, say “happy!”.
5. Play Stacking Games with Baby
Showing Baby how to stack objects like blocks, cups, or other household items can help them work on their executive function and fine motor skills. And they can do it right on their high chair tray!
Try using objects of different sizes to help Baby develop their grasp. For example, skinny blocks can help Baby learn the pincer grasp by using their thumb and index finger to pick it up. Encourage Baby to stack them up high, then watch them tumble down!
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