How to Hold NICU Baby in Your Arms | Games that Help Bonding and Development!

Bonding with your baby begins right after they’re born, even in the NICU! It can happen in so many ways. Bonding helps baby feel safe, secure, and loved. It’s a process that can take time, but taking little steps every day, even when they’re in the NICU, can make a big difference.

Here are some activities to do with baby while holding them in your arms. Remember, every baby is different, and in the NICU their needs may vary. So always ask baby’s healthcare provider what is safe for them to do.

Activities include:

• A Whole New World – helps baby work on head control, strengthen core muscles, engage with you, and explore their world in a new way.

• Face Time – helps baby calm and reach an alert state so they’re ready to play, work on their vision and tracking, and engage with you.

• Football Carry – helps baby work on their vision, head control, get used to Tummy Time, and explore their world in a new way.

• Hold and Follow – helps baby work on their vision and tracking, and engage with you.

• Shoulder Carry – helps baby work on their head control, strengthen core muscles, and get used to being on their tummy.

• Shoulder Carry with Others – helps baby work on their vision and tracking, their head control, strengthen core muscles, engage with you, and explore their world in a new way.

• Side Lying – helps baby calm and reach an alert state so they’re ready to play, work on bringing their hands together, and work on bringing their hands to their mouth. Watch to see how to play these games with baby!