How to talk to your baby
Speaking with your baby can be intimidating. But it’s so important. Here are some tips for feeling comfortable chatting with your baby.
how should you talk to your baby?
For the first few months, speak in parentese. It’s a slow, high-pitched voice. research shows babies love when people speak to them in this repetitive, excited voice.
Be engaged with lots of eye contact and facial expressions. The same way babies respond to parentese, they love eye contact and funny faces.
Take pauses so that babies can learn how to converse. By asking questions or making comments then pausing, you’re giving your baby time to process it and “respond.” And, you’ll teach babies how to mimic conversation.
Babies learn through repetition, so if a baby focuses on something, stop and repeat the name. If your baby loves a certain book, endure reading it fifty times a day.
when can you talk to your baby?
You can narrate to your baby all day long. When your baby wakes up, you can describe that they slept, how they slept, that you’re preparing a bottle or to nurse. During diaper changes, you can describe what you’re doing.
Have pretend conversations and ask questions. When you’re dressing your baby, show them two shirts and let them pick one. When you’re moving them, ask permission. Model conversations that you’ll have later.
Babies love singing. You don’t have to sing lullabies; choose all your favorite jams. My children know so many Taylor Swift songs because I started singing them in the early days.
Read. And then read more. Reading books will increase your child’s vocabulary. Aim to read at least a few books a day with your baby.
Get down on the floor and play with your baby. You can play games like peekaboo. Show them toys and talk about them.
You don’t need to speak to your baby nonstop; that would probably overwhelm them. Aim to talk to your baby during activities like diaper changes and meals then to read a few books and play for a little while each day.
Hi! I'm Gigi; I'm a postpartum doula, mother to three toddlers, including twins, and a wife to my high school sweetheart. I’m a #swiftie who loves cheesy novels.
As a former teacher, I bring realistic, evidence-based, and actionable advice (and LOTS of handouts.) I help families get all the tools they need to prepare, so once baby arrives, they can focus on resting and bonding instead of researching or stressing. I’m here to streamline the newborn learning curve and help birth parents, partners, and other family members. There isn’t ONE way to have and raise a little human. I’m here to guide parents to find THEIR way so that they can thrive in the fourth trimester and beyond.
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