A big hi there and hello and thanks so much for stopping by my first blog post for The Baby & Toddler Show 2016. I can’t tell you how pleased I was when Siobhan asked me to be a part of this and look forward to getting to know so many of you in the coming months.
Alyssa and I will be sharing our experiences, tips and knowledge with you in the run-up to The Baby & Toddler Show and then will hopefully get to meet some of you there in October – we can’t wait and love a good road trip! Anyway enough about us, let’s focus on our topic for the week:
Being a single mummy, and quite often alone with my baby, it was natural for me to talk to her from the moment she was born. I literally give her a running commentary as we go about our day and have said things like “Ta” and “Kiss” ever since she could take something or lean in for a wet sloppy kiss. I never really considered what or if there were any benefits as I was just doing what came naturally to me. However, when my health visitor came to see us, she commented several times on how “good” it was that I was communicating with my baby as it was important for her to develop and also pointed out they ways in which my baby was responding to me pre-gurgle and gibberish!
Right from the moment they are born, or even before that for expectant mummies feeling those amazing kicks, babies try to communicate with us in any way they can. From my own experience, I was very lucky because Alyssa was a mimicking baby. When pulling faces at her (at around 6 weeks old) I happened to stick my tongue out at her and she poked hers out back! I thought “No Way! That has to be a complete fluke!” However, sure enough, I did it again and she copied me right back. This became a fun form of communication between us for several weeks until she moved on to noises. A craniosacral therapist we saw to help Alyssa with a clicky hip suggested that it wasn’t her mimicking me but it was in fact the other way round… wouldn’t surprise me as she has been Miss Independant from the start!
One of the first ways babies communicate is through facial expressions. You may find them simply staring at you and that is because they are trying to judge your mood and feelings from the way you look and react. Experts say, that babies can also sense feelings when being held or even interpret mood and atmosphere in a room. From my own experience, I would say my bubba could definitely pick up on my mood, so I have always tried to be positive when around her or holding her – though FYI nobody is perfect and I have shed a tear or two as well! When they begin babbling and gurgling their first sounds, they will surprise even themselves and it is important to communicate and respond to them as you would anyone else. Top tips for initial communication with your bubba include:
If your baby looks at you, make facial expressions, smile and talk to them – explain what you are doing.
When they begin to gurgle and babble, treat each noise as if it were a sentence or a question and engage in a conversation.
Try and maintain a positive and happy atmosphere around your baby – you’d be surprised what they pick up on!
Make time to specifically communicate with your baby; reading a book every night as part of a bedtime routine can not only develop their learning and language skills but it will also become a lovely intimate bonding time between you.
As your baby grows and develops it is important that you become almost liked a mirrored version of them. Research suggests, that whether you understand what they are saying or not, you should always respond. Mimicking the sound, noise or even word that they make/say can reinforce for them that they are doing something right and also shows them that what they are doing matters and is important to you. Experts also say that the same can be said when babies begin new movements and gestures. Recently, Alyssa has discovered she can shake her head in a “no” like manner (I know… answering back at 7 months old is not a good sign for teenage years) and also blowing raspberries. Therefore, every time she has done these I have smiled and done them back at her. She also has this funny habit of flapping her arms when she gets excited… I mimic her and do it back and she gets even more excited! So much so I am concerned at times that she may take flight, but I am showing her that what she is doing and trying is good and important!
Some parents, myself included, often worry that talking “Baby Talk” to their little one will hinder or slow down the progress they make with developing their language skills. Well I am here to tell you that is a load of codswallop! I happened to ask my health visitor and actually my midwife this early on and as long as you communicate with your baby that is all that matters. It is absolutely fine to talk to them as the baby that they are or as a fully comprehending little person. As I said, it was natural for me to dictate and commentate our day together which is probably why my little bubba is constantly gurgling and talking… because her mummy doesn’t shut up either but just so we’re clear, baby words are okay too!
Does anyone else repeat the same thing over and over to their baby too? “Say Mama, Mama, Mama, Mama, Mama…..” Well baby experts say that we aren’t just being broken records that need a smack to get back on track, apparently repeating words like this, particularly with an action can help familiarise babies with the word and what it actually means. For example, I have always said “Foot” when putting Alyssa’s socks or tights on right from the start, followed by “Other one!” Now, because it has obviously become part of a routine, she actually lifts each foot for me to get at. Granted she also wriggles her butt and makes it near impossible to dress her (she likes being naked!) but she does in fact lift her feet for me – amazing!
So why have I been babbling on about baby talk for god knows how long it’s taken you to read all this? Because, I think it’s important to highlight just how much communicating with your baby can have an impact on them. It can really help cement your bond with them and will bring them a lot of good feelings. So remember:
Baby talk, even the silly stuff, is great for your little one to hear
Read to them and point out pictures and repeat the words
Mimicking – it might seem like a fun game to them but they will never realise how much they are learning!
You may not be the world’s greatest karaoke singer, but babies love music and songs… especially action ones so dust off those heads, shoulders knees and toes!
Above all, smile at your little one… it will make their day!
That’s all from Alyssa and I this week but please feel free to pop any questions and comments below and I’ll get back to you as soon as I can. To ensure you never miss a post, feel free to subscribe to our mailing list!
Any exhibitors attending The Baby & Toddler Show this year who would like their products featured in a weekly blog post, pop me an email to [email protected]
Anyone looking for tickets for this years Baby & Toddler show head over to the website here for all the details!
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