How to Communicate With Your Baby

Communication with your baby begins as soon as you hold your newborn. Your loving voice comforts your baby, and the words you use help your baby start to understand language.

• Talk to your baby as much as possible.

• Hold your baby often.

• Always respond to your newborn's cries. You can't spoil your baby with too much attention.

• Your baby doesn't respond to sounds, especially parents' voices.

• You're worried that your baby isn't seeing or hearing normally.

• You're worried about your baby's crying.

• You feel very frustrated, sad, or out of control.

How do newborns communicate? Newborns immediately recognize their parents' voices. Even though your baby doesn't understand exactly what you're saying, your calm, loving voice is comforting. Your baby may respond by making sounds, changing body position, making faces, or moving the arms and legs in time with your speech. Babies this age cry to communicate. A crying baby might be tired; need a cuddle; or have an empty belly, a dirty diaper, or cold feet. Babies may cry for longer periods when they're sick or in pain. Sometimes babies cry for no clear reason at all.
How can I comfort my crying baby? Try these ways to calm your baby:

• rock or hold your baby while you walk

• sing or play music

• turn on a fan or other calming noise

• give your baby a pacifier