Five easy ways to practice Montessori with your newborn

(Aishwarya Dwarakanath, Montessori guide and consultant)

Becoming a parent changes everything—your time, energy, and sleep take a hit the moment your baby lets out that first cry. Amid the whirlwind of postpartum recovery, emotional highs and lows, and caring for your newborn’s health, the idea of introducing Montessori principles may feel overwhelming, especially when your baby seems so small and dependent.

But good news: Practising Montessori with your newborn doesn’t require scripted conversations, expensive materials, or lots of time. Here are five easy, meaningful ways to start.

1. Talk to the baby: Babies are tuned in to the human voice right from utero! They are drawn to your voice and begin learning the language just by listening to your conversations. Babies can be seen paying careful attention to the movements of the adult’s mouth as early as 1-2 months. Conversing with a baby comes easily to some people, while others find it a bit… weird? That’s completely fine. Just talk normally as you would to an adult about your day, your to-do list, your feelings and anything! Bonus points for using a higher-pitched, sing-song voice- a.k.a parentese. It helps your little one absorb the sounds and rhythm of the language.
   
2. Set a Bath and massage routine: Consistency is key for babies to find comfort and safety in their surroundings. It can be as simple as massaging and bathing your baby in the same manner everyday, and around the same time. A familiar bath and massage sequence, such as starting with the legs, then torso, arms, and finally the head, not only builds a sense of order but also supports body and spatial awareness.Before bathing, lay out the baby’s clothes in the order they’ll be worn. For example, the bottom layer can be the swaddle cloth, the next layer can be the sweater and pant if any, then the long sleeved cotton shirt with fastenings opened up, then the jabla/vest and diaper on top. This creates a quick and seamless transition from the warmth of the bath to the warmth of the clothes, without overwhelming the baby.
   
3. Preparing the environment: Make things easier and efficient for you and the baby. A table near your feeding chair with a water bottle, notepad for timings, breast pump (if needed), snack jar and daily vitamins can be super helpful. Similarly, keep baskets or trays with diapers, creams, medications, and a laundry bin near the changing station. You don’t need fancy furniture—just a few practical tools within reach.
4. Skin-to-skin, one-on-one: Those cuddles with mamma especially during the first 8 weeks are absolutely important for the baby and the mother. It respects the connection that the two share during the first two months when they are dealing with separation from the physical comfort of the womb. It supports bonding, helps regulate the baby’s body temperature and heartbeat, and provides emotional comfort for both mother and baby. Keeping the baby close to her, for as long as possible, while ensuring she’s comfortable, nourished and happy is very important. If the mother needs rest or is unavailable, the caregiver can step in and offer skin-to-skin time. The warmth and emotional connection build a strong foundation of trust and security for the baby.
5. Support play and observation: Even newborns are busy discovering the world. During their alert periods, you’ll notice them staring intently and moving their limbs. Offering gentle visual stimulation using high-contrast images, naturally moving mobiles (without batteries and loud music) and seeing elements of nature- like the leaves on trees, can be very helpful in developing visual tracking and focus. Just moving your smiling face from one side to the other, can be great at encouraging your baby to track the movement with their eyes and face.

Montessori at this stage is about slowing down, tuning in, and responding with love. These small, thoughtful ways of interacting with your baby—talking, cuddling, observing, and preparing the environment—nurture their development in profound ways.

Remember: happy, rested, supported parents are what babies need most. So don’t hesitate to ask for help and lean on your village during this time of deep growth and healing- for both of you!