Yes, I’ve spent practically this entire article saying that stimulation is good, that it helps boost your baby’s brain – and it does, to some extent. But trying too hard to keep things constantly stimulating can be exhausting, for both you and your baby. Make sure you intersperse your play and interaction time with quiet times that allow for Baby to learn to amuse herself. It helps to develop her attention span. And over-stimulation can lead to cranky and irritable behavior, which isn’t conducive to any sort of learning – so if you’re in baby’s face too much, you may be doing more harm than good in the long run.
The good news is that you don’t have to spend a fortune on pricey flashcards or educational videos. While these extras can certainly be fun, the best way to give your baby a good start in the brain department is to spend ample time playing, talking, and cuddling. There’s nothing that Baby loves more than your attention – give out plenty of it, and you’ll both be richly rewarded.