If I Had 20 Minutes a Day to Play With My Baby

Parents often love coming to see me, and leaving with playtime activities that help give structure to their days-- which may otherwise feel like a blur! Because, what do you actually do with a baby all day?? Between naps, feedings, and life, it can feel a bit chaotic. But, playtime is where the magic happens for feeding!

If I only had 20 minutes a day to play with my baby as a Speech-Language Pathologist and IBCLC Lactation Consultant specializing in infant feeding and development, here’s exactly what I’d focus on.

Baby enjoying tummy time with toys to encourage movement and visual tracking

Start with Tummy Time to Build Strength

Feeding and motor development are connected! And the best feeding activities build the body.

Tummy time builds the neck, shoulder, and core strength that babies need for:

• Strong feeding

• Suck endurance

• Coordinated suck-swallow-breathe

• Future feeding and speech development

But the key is purposeful tummy time. Rather than just placing baby on the floor, help them interact with you and their surroundings.

What I’d do:

• Lay on the floor face-to-face

• Talk to them and make exaggerate facial expressions that encourages head lifting

• Show them high contrast pictures, mirrors, books that crinkle

• Slowly move the picture book side to side to promote visual tracking

Why it matters:

When babies lift their heads and stabilize their bodies, it supports the postural foundation for oral motor control. And that foundation affects everything, from breathing to feeding to future speech!

Incorporate Oral Play to Support Feeding Skills

Babies explore the world through their mouths.

It's not only sweet— it’s super important for feeding development.

Activities I’d do:

• Offer a clean finger for baby to suck

• Slowly rub your finger along baby's gums

• Squish their precious little cheeks

• Encourage baby to bring hands to their mouth

• Offer a variety of teething toys starting at 3 months

Why this matters:

Sensory experiences build strength and coordination.

These experiences help babies:

• Move their tongue

• Close their lips

• Grow the jaws and shape the palate

This sensory mapping is the groundwork for starting solids and feeding development.

Practice Visual Tracking to Boost Coordination

Visual tracking is your baby’s ability to follow moving objects with their eyes. This skill supports cognitive development. And brain boosting activities like these support feeding!

• Use high-contrast toys or objects: Black and white patterns or bright colors work well.

• Move toys slowly: Move a toy from side to side or up and down in front of your baby’s face.

• Encourage head movement: Combine visual tracking with tummy time to strengthen neck muscles.

• Talk and sing: Use your voice to keep your baby engaged while they follow the toy.

  
  

Add Gentle Massage to Promote Relaxation and Digestion

Massage can be calming to a fussy baby, while also increasing body awareness. Massage can be alerting to a sleepy eater, and organizing to a baby who struggles to latch.

• Use gentle strokes: Massage your baby’s back, arms, legs, and tummy with light pressure.

• Follow a routine: Create a calming sequence that your baby can anticipate.

• Incorporate massage into daily care: Try it during diaper changes or before bedtime.

Combine Activities for a Balanced Routine

Here’s an example of how to use your 20 minutes:

• 5 minutes of tummy time with toys to encourage movement and visual tracking.

• 5 minutes of oral play including gentle lip and tongue exercises.

• 5 minutes of visual tracking games with colorful toys and sounds.

• 5 minutes of gentle massage to soothe and support digestion.

  
  

This balanced approach targets multiple areas of development and keeps your baby engaged.

Tips for Making the Most of Your Time

• Follow your baby’s lead: Pay attention to their mood and energy levels.

• Keep it positive: Use smiles, eye contact, and soothing tones.

• Be consistent: Daily practice builds skills over time.

• Stay safe: Always supervise your baby during activities.

  
  

These simple steps help create a nurturing environment that supports feeding and developmental milestones.

At Nourish Feeding Therapy, I specialize in infant feeding and oral development, offering advanced, hands-on therapy that goes beyond basic lactation support. As a Speech-Language Pathologist and IBCLC Lactation Consultant, I focus on the underlying oral-motor, neuromuscular, and developmental factors that shape how babies feed, grow, and thrive. I serve families across Kitsap County, including Poulsbo, Washington, providing comprehensive evaluations and individualized therapy for challenges such as tongue tie, feeding difficulties, and early oral dysfunction—supporting babies and parents with evidence-based care during the most important stages of development. Schedule a discovery call to get started.