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Behaviour/development

Talk to others about child development and behaviour stages here. You can find more information on our development calendar.

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Original poster

what do you chat to your tiny LO about?

14 replies

cakebaby · 28/09/2013 10:05

I have an adorable DS nearly 4 weeks old and I am very aware that talking to your LO has a great impact on their language and speech development. I am a quiet person and although I am making a great effort to chat to him, I feel a bit daft, that I'm talking just for the sake of it (which i am) and my patter is drying up! I talk to him about what we are doing or going to do next, who we are going to see and we have a sing song to the iPod at nappy change. He looks at me so earnestly when I'm talking to him (yes I know it's probably wind and poo concentrating!), it breaks my heart that I feel I'm struggling to find things to say and just shit chatting to him. What do you chat to your tiny LO about?

OP posts:

notadoctor · 28/09/2013 11:26

I just used to chat to my DD about everything I was doing - just literally explaining the jobs I was doing around the house and telling her the names of all the stuff in the room - it felt a bit like I was on those cookery shows giving a running commentary sometimes! But I'm quite a big mouth and I talk to myself a lot anyway so in a way it came quite naturally!

I also read whatever grown up book I was reading out loud to her (I used a kindle as it made it easier to hold her at the same time). I guess you could do the same with any newspapers or magazines you enjoy. That way you're still getting the stimulation of something you like and it may come easier if you're a quieter person. Just watch out for anything too sad or scary as it can show in your voice!

Enjoy your lovely new baby!

nilbyname · 28/09/2013 11:32

Yes to a running commentary!

I am a chatter box but yes just of lots inane chatter about what I am doing in that moment with the baby.

Talk is so important, so pleased that you are doing it, you sound like a lovely mummy.

magicstars · 28/09/2013 14:04

Try reading and singing to him/ her & explain what you're doing through the day. Don't beat yourself up though if you aren't constantly chatting. You sound like you're doing a great job.

Original poster

cakebaby · 28/09/2013 15:43

Thank you all for your encouragement, I guess I'm just not used to it yet! He's quite a gurgley baby already, so cute, wanting the best for them can drive you to distraction can't it?!

OP posts:

MaeMobley · 28/09/2013 15:46

yes to running commentary but I also remember the days when I was just too tired to talk.

I remember saying to DS, aged 8 weeks at the time, "I am sorry but I am too tired to talk today" so I stuck Radio 4 on.

ChippingInNeedsSleepAndCoffee · 28/09/2013 15:56

Talking is very important :) However, it doesn't have to be constant - like us, they like a bit of peace & quiet as well! I think it's important to talk to them when you are doing things to/for/with them - such as 'Come on DS, time to change your nappy, let's take your trousers off first etc' but it's not necessary to fill every minute of the day. Relax and ENJOY him - and enjoy the peace because once they start talking it'll be a long time before you get any again!

Original poster

cakebaby · 28/09/2013 16:01

Thanks for replies, yes I suppose he'll be sick of me chuntering on if I talk constantly! I'll stop stressing and get on with enjoying him

OP posts:

ChippingInNeedsSleepAndCoffee · 28/09/2013 16:42

greencybermummy · 28/09/2013 22:17

You're doing a great job! Keep it up. You could also sing to add variety, don't worry if you can't hold a tune, doesn't matter. Make songs up or get confident with a small repertoire of nursery rhymes. Start to share books soon too, never too early. Enjoy your little man

FredFredGeorge · 28/09/2013 22:32

16th century lace making in flanders was always popular with DD.

lorrikeet · 29/09/2013 18:18

Sounds like you're doing a great job already.
I used to run through everything we'd done in the day at bedtime to send DS off to sleep.... but its good to talk about stuff that you're doing , or can see, so they can associate the word with the action or object. You don't have to chatter all the time! and it can be noises too.

rrreow · 30/09/2013 15:46

I found it really difficult with my first too, now I'm on my second and I'm much more used to it because I chat to my toddler a lot (which also isn't the most riveting type of conversation, but much easier because he responds!). To my baby I tend to just talk about what is happening or what is going to happen. If I really need some 'me' time but he won't let me then I will read out loud to him from a book that I'm reading.

And yeah, sometimes I'm quiet because I'm just too tired to keep up the running commentary and I think that's perfectly OK too!

pinkapples · 30/09/2013 20:38

Yes to talking and hehe to maemobley I do that baby daughter is 15 weeks and very chatty we've spoken to her since birth but I do have those times where I stick on a documentary on the tv because I am all talked out

We talk about anything mostly what were doing or what's going on we read and I also show her magazines and things don't beat yourself up talk when you want and if you don't feel like it stick on a documentary or the radio or a baby cd

DIYandEatCake · 30/09/2013 21:06

Oh I'm with you, I'm a quiet person too and never been much of a talker, I can remember feeling ridiculous talking to thin air about nothing in particular. Going to mum and baby groups made me feel a lot better - I felt like dd was benefiting from hearing normal conversation, and it made the days with a tiny baby go faster.
It gets easier as they get older and start responding - at 2.6 dd talks enough for both of us and asks lots of questions, it's so much easier when you can have a proper conversation.

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