#ScreenFreeEarlyYears: Little Minds, Big Futures
Congratulations on your beautiful new baby! These first precious years are a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to nurture your baby’s brain, deepen your bond, and lay the foundation for their great future! Waiting is worth it — delay screens. Give your child the best start — for learning, language, and life. This short guide explains why waiting is worth it, and how to do it gently and confidently. I’m here to walk beside you on that journey — and the science is firmly on your side. 1. Your Face Is Their First “Screen” Simple tip: When feeding or cuddling, keep your phone tucked away. Let your baby’s world be filled with your eyes, voice, and love. 2. The First 1000 Days Shape a Lifetime Why a Gentle, Screen-Free Start Matters for Your Baby’s Future In the first two years, your baby’s brain is growing faster than it ever will again — and every cuddle, conversation, and playful moment helps build strong foundations for life. Here’s what the research shows: The good news? You don’t need fancy apps, baby videos, or flashing lights to help your little one thrive. Your voice, your smile, your arms, your playful chats — they are the greatest gifts you can give. 💛 Every screen-free cuddle, every babbled conversation, every silly dance is building your baby’s brain, heart, and future. Simple tip: Prioritise real-world play: rattles over videos, peekaboo over cartoons, songs over background TV. 3. Screens Can Crowd Out Bonding & Sensory Play Simple tip: Keep a soft play mat or a cosy corner with baby-safe toys (like rattles, soft books, or textured fabrics) instead of relying on screens. Focus on face-to-face interactions, gentle touches, and responding to their coos and babbles. Skin-to-Skin Time Nothing beats the warmth of your skin against your baby’s. Skin-to-skin contact in those first hours, days, and even weeks can promote bonding, regulate body temperature, and enhance the emotional connection between you and your baby. Gentle Baby Massage Use soft, nurturing touch to bond with your baby. Gentle massages help with relaxation and can strengthen the parent-child connection. Try simple strokes on their arms, legs, and back, always ensuring you follow the baby’s cues. Eye Contact and Smiling Your baby’s brain develops through face-to-face interactions. Hold your baby close, look into their eyes, and smile. The early recognition of facial expressions will help foster trust and attachment. Cuddling and Holding Cuddling your baby is one of the simplest yet most powerful bonding activities. Holding them close helps them feel secure, loved, and comforted. Experiment with different holds (cradle hold, babywearing, etc.) to see what works best for you both. Talking and Singing Babies are naturally wired to respond to voices. Talk to your baby throughout the day, narrating simple things you’re doing, like “Now we’re getting your blanket” or “Look at the pretty light outside.” Singing lullabies or soft songs also creates a calming atmosphere. Baby’s First Bath Bath time is a special bonding moment. Gently wash your baby, talking to them softly throughout the process. The warm water and touch can be a relaxing experience for both of you. Tummy Time While tummy time helps with physical development, it’s also an opportunity for bonding. Lay down with your baby and encourage them to lift their head and push up. Stay close to them, making eye contact and offering smiles of encouragement. Reading Together Even at a young age, babies love the sound of their parents’ voices. Reading simple, soft books with colourful pictures is a great way to engage and bond with your baby. It also starts building their language skills early. Soothing Touches (Patting, Rocking, or Swaying) Gentle movements like swaying or rocking your baby can be incredibly calming and soothing. This rhythmic motion mimics the environment of the womb and helps foster a sense of security. Responsive Feeding Whether breastfeeding or bottle-feeding, use feeding time as an opportunity for bonding. Hold your baby close, make eye contact, and offer words of affection while feeding. These moments of nourishment also nurture their emotional development. Put your phone down. Nappy Changing Nappy changing time is a perfect moment for eye contact, smiles, and little chats — simple ways to bond and build your baby’s brain, without any distractions from a phone. Explore Sensory Play Touch, sound, and sight are key senses your baby is developing. Gently exploring different textures (soft toys, fabrics, your skin) can be a great bonding activity. Baby-safe objects with contrasting colours or simple musical instruments (like a soft rattle) will stimulate their senses and allow you to bond through play. Nature Walks (Babywearing or Stroller) Take a walk outside in nature with your baby, either by using a carrier or pushing a stroller. Fresh air, nature sounds, and a change of scenery can be soothing for both you and your baby. Talk to them about what you see — leaves, trees, animals — to engage their senses. Put away your phone. Baby’s First Lullaby or Sound Create a special sound or lullaby just for your baby. This could be a specific song or even a soothing hum or phrase that they come to associate with comfort and security. Watch Your Baby’s Development Celebrate small milestones together, like when your baby rolls over or starts smiling. Express your joy and excitement, which helps create a loving, encouraging environment for your baby’s growth. Bonding with Siblings or Family Members If you have other children, involve them in bonding time by encouraging them to talk to, sing to, or gently touch the baby. This can build a strong family connection and foster positive sibling relationships early on. By focusing on these screen-free activities, you can strengthen the bond with your baby and lay the foundation for a secure, loving relationship throughout their development. These moments are not just about emotional bonding — they’re also vital for your baby’s overall growth. 4. Connection Builds Confidence Simple tip: Narrate your day out loud to your baby — “Now we’re putting on
