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3
Simple Ways to Engage Your Newborn
"I guess I'm kind of silly," the mother
of a six-week-old said sheepishly. "I know
she can't understand a word I say, but I can't
help talking to her anyway." It's true that
very young babies don't understand words, but
that doesn't mean it's silly to talk to them.
Way before they know what you're saying, babies
are fascinated by the sound of your voice. Here
are 3 simple ways you can start the foundation
for good communication skills:
Go Ahead — Talk it Up!
Chatting to your newborn teaches what is really
important about social communication. It shows
that what counts more than the actual words is
the message: I love you. You are important to
me.
Research has shown that newborns are more sensitive
to higher-pitched voices — perhaps because
the baby has heard the mother's voice for months
already while growing in the womb. In any case,
talking to your baby will help the baby learn
to associate your voice with your face. It also
establishes the basis for later language development.
So go ahead. Tell your baby about the weather,
the book you are reading what you're having for
lunch, the names of toys or whatever. You'll be
laying the foundation for good communication skills.
And you can never begin too early on that!
Listen and Respond
By the time babies are a month or two old, they
often begin to make some sounds of their own.
These won't be the cooing and babbling of later
babyhood, but they won't be just crying either.
A baby may say "ah" or "eh"
or just make noises with the tongue. As primitive
as these noises are, they are the first steps
toward language. Adults can respond by imitating
these little noises. The newborn occasionally
repeats the sound, and before you know it, you
have a little "conversation" going!
This is a fascinating game for your baby, one
that will encourage communication with you.
When babies get too tired, too hungry or too restless
to socialize any longer, they "say"
so by crying or tuning out efforts to engage them.
Be sensitive to such signals, and you'll soon
learn your baby's own personal style.
Anytime Is the Right Time
If you feel you have to reserve talking and playing
for "special times," you may be missing
lots of chances to communicate with your baby.
The best time for a chat is when babies are awake
and alert, and that's usually when they're being
bathed, changed or dressed. These are not just
chores to get out of the way; they're perfect
occasions for socializing.
As your baby lies there looking up at you, you
can talk softly, tickle baby's tummy very gently
or just lean over and coo. Some parents keep colorful
toys nearby to show to their babies as they change
or dress them.
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A
Newborn's Busy Schedule
In the first few weeks, it may seem that your newborn
isn't doing much of anything except sleeping and
eating. But don't be misled; a lot is going on!
Bonding for Beginners
For one thing, your baby is learning to rely on
you for comfort when it's needed. Creating this
feeling of security and trust now is the most wonderful
gift parents can bestow on their new baby.
Sleep, Bond, Sleep, Bond
All new babies do a lot of sleeping, as much as
12 to 16 hours a day, and they usually sleep in
two to five hour stretches. Even when new babies
are awake their eyes may be closed, and they can
only be fully alert for six to ten minutes at a
time. Take advantage of these interludes of alertness
to strengthen the bond between you and your baby
by cuddling, or singing or holding a one-sided conversation.
On the Look Out
What do newborns see? Not too much because they're
near-sighted and see best about eight to ten inches
in front of them-just about the distance of a mother's
face as she cradles her baby in her arms. Peripheral
vision isn't yet developed, and a baby's field of
view is about one-third that of an adult. Even so,
babies do like to look at patterns and bright colors.
Bright red seems to intrigue infants most, and shiny
red is best of all. Pastels, on the other hand,
appear muddy to a baby-a good reason for making
the nursery one of the most colorful rooms in your
house.
In the crib, your newborn at first will face only
to one side or the other. So hang a colorful mobile
on the side of the crib where it's in the baby's
line of vision.
While a professional may know a lot about babies
in general, as you watch, hold, feed, burp and love
your baby day after day, you'll become the best
expert on your baby in particular. Only by close
observation and a little experimentation can you
learn just how much sleep, stimulation and activity
your own newborn needs and prefers.
Gearing Up for More
Newborns are also sensitive to inner stimulation.
You may see your baby whimper, grimace and appear
to be smiling. What's happening is that your baby's
internal systems are busily at work.
Of course, whenever you're in doubt about the proper
care for your baby, be sure to consult your doctor.
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What
Do Newborns See, Hear & Feel?
Young babies seem to grow even as you watch them.
Not only does their birth-weight double in about
five months, their ability to interact with their
surroundings develops equally fast. Indeed, growing
babies seem to be reaching out to their parents
and the rest of the world with all their senses.
A Sight to See
By four months, babies can focus their eyes well
on objects all over the room, although most babies
prefer to watch things that are about a yard away.
Faces with their ever-changing expressions are
still the most interesting sight for babies, but
they now begin to follow all objects intently
with their eyes. And since babies have an inborn
preference for bright colors, you may want to
add some vivid rainbow hues to the pastels most
of us associate with a baby's room.
Now Hear This!
Listening is also becoming more important now
for your baby, who delights in the sound of your
voice as you talk, sing or hum. (By four months
a baby knows if its parent or someone else is
talking). You'll notice that your baby may stop
sucking to listen to a new sound, and may turn
to look at you on hearing your approaching footsteps.
A four- month-old will enjoy the sound of wind
chimes or even the ticking of a clock and will
probably delight in a music box fastened on the
side of the crib.
Reach Out and Touch
Everyday now your baby will be concentrating on
connecting sights and sounds with the sense of
touch. At first, babies aren't really aware that
their hands are part of themselves. Infants will
watch their hands pass before their eyes and laugh
as one hand grasps the other. Gradually, babies
begin to bat at crib toys and if their hands happen
to touch one, may stop in surprise.
By the fourth month, the reflex that causes clenched
fists in infants disappears, and they are able
to open, close and intertwine their fingers. Then,
at five months, babies are able to reach for and
grasp an object, transfer it from one hand to
the other and finally bring it to the mouth for
further exploration.
It's exciting for babies to discover that they
can have an effect on things. By taking an interest
in things outside themselves they make an important
step forward.
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