Imitate Your Baby's Sounds
 

You are hearing more and more sounds from your baby! You may start to recognize consonant sounds and even words. Imitating or copying the sounds your baby is making promotes language development and strengthens your relationship with your baby. Think about this as the beginning of many conversations with your child! These special conversations should include repeating or imitating the sounds your baby makes as well as introducing new sounds to your baby. 


Brain Science for Your Baby

Did you know that you can speak "motherese"?  All over the world parents talk to babies in a special way.  And not just mothers - fathers, siblings, and grandparents speak it to.  What is "motherese"? It is using a sing-song voice that is easy for your baby to hear and understand sounds and words. As important as the talk though, is the back and forth social interaction.  Researchers measure social interaction in all kinds of ways - but "motherese" is one of the most important!  

 

Watch the video on motherese here
A Baby Buffer Prescription for Your Baby
 
  • Make time for quality "conversations": Notice the sounds your baby is making.  Get face to face and repeat the sounds you hear and facial expressions she makes.  Do this for a while and lots of times so your baby can hear it over and over.  Focus on her so she knows this conversation is important. 
  • Introduce new sounds by repeating them over and over and waiting for a reaction from your baby. Keep the sounds simple ("ba-ba-ba-ba", "pa-pa-pa-pa"). 
  • Teach your baby that we take turns listening and talking during conversations. Model this by pausing or waiting after you talk (repeating sounds or words) and giving baby lots of time to get ready for her turn.   

A baby Buffer Prescription for You        

 

  • Taking care of your baby is your main focus right now and may still feel like a new responsibility. However, you probably have things to do (meals, laundry, bills, work, sefl-care, etc) that you had to do before the baby. Being a baby buffer means that you have to focus on your child (and family) and what is important. Take time each day to prioritize things that need to get done and make sure to take time for yourself!  Even just talking on the phone to a friend while your baby is napping can bring your stress level down.  

  • Try your best to stay "in the moment", we know that being a mom is hard work, so be sure to enjoy those sweet smile and baby kisses when you can! 

What Your Baby Can Do - Developmental Milestones 

 

Your baby is doing more than just talking to you and making sounds now!  He or she may be sitting, crawling and exploring the world more and more each day.  Click on the links below for information from the CDC on what your baby can do now.  
Baby Buffer Blog
Cathy Smith, PhD

 

New Year's Resolution

Now that the presents are un-wrapped, the cookies are eaten and the guests are all gone, it is time to get back to everyday life. I love the holidays, but I also look forward to the feeling of calm and routine that January brings. I 'm not usually one for New Year's resolutions but this January I am striving to be "present" and "in the moment." Giving others your full attention when you are with them lets them know they are important and worth your time. It helps to build strong relationships. Being "present" with your children is really important, no matter how old they might be. When my youngest child was a baby, she would use her hands to physically turn my head towards her, so that I would stop whatever I was doing, and pay attention to her! That was a pretty clear sign that she wanted and needed my attention. Not all babies are that persistent but all babies do need you to be "present" as much as possible.  

 

Read the full blog by Cathy Smith, PhD 

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