18/02/2016
Emotional milestones... in conclusion
In terms of the kind of stimulation you should give your baby to help them learn these precious emotional milestones, Dr Melodie de Jager advises you “Put the phone down! Connect with your baby. Make eye contact. Talk to your baby. Demonstrate the loving behaviour you would like to see them exhibit.”
You should also keep in mind that it is possible to “over-do” it and over-stimulate a baby. You can tell this is happening if your baby exhibits what Dr de Jager calls “avoidance behaviour”, which is turning away, crying with their fingers splayed (to show STOP), as well as hyperactivity and poor sleeping. When this happens, give your baby some peace and quiet, perhaps in a darkened room, to help them to calm down.