Since I see lots of moms throughout their pregnancies, one of the first questions they often ask is “how soon can you see my baby?” Like most questions, my answer is: “it depends!”

How you play with your baby can actually affect how they move as a child or even as an adult. Although we mean well when we try to “help” baby roll, sit, or walk, we aren’t actually teaching them how to do those activities. Instead, we’re teaching them how to do those things with compensations. Dr. Whitney lays out why some toys can interfere with normal development, what toys and baby items you should avoid, and how you can play with your baby to help their little brain and body grow!

In the first few months, babies aren’t able to move themselves, so it’s up to you to help them get into different positions. Babies should spend time on their bellies, both sides, and on their backs.