So where is the best place for babies to play at home? Not the cot, for sure. While it helps to have a designated play room, babies prefer to be with people when they play, so you might find it easier to put a playpen in the room you are frequently in. One solution is to baby-proof a section of the living room for play – use a sturdy plastic gate to fence off a play yard and fill it with toys. As your baby grows, he will learn to haul himself up and hang on to the plastic gate, which are the first steps to learning how to walk!
Tummy time
It is important to hold your baby and carry him close, but equally crucial is the time he spends on the floor to develop his motor skills. Put him down on his tummy to help him build neck and core strength – this is perfectly safe. Tummy time is actually essential for your baby to learn to push up, roll over, sit up, crawl and pull to a stand. In this position, he will also find it easier to reach out for toys.