Do you talk to your unborn baby?

[hipstercat]

My mum keeps saying that babies love hearing their mother's voice in the womb, and I should chat to him. I am such a big ball of awkwardness however that I feel too self-conscious doing this even when alone, just have no idea what to say! Do you all talk to baby bump?

Only usually to request removal of foot from ribcage or similar

Of course! There is very robust research that reinforces that unborn babies react positively to your voice. It doesn't matter what you say. Sing your shopping list if you have to!

I read and sang to mine. So did DH. The baby could obviously hear because he is still massively comforted by songs he regularly heard in the womb.

I used to put the big old head phones on my belly, and listen to the Beatles.
22 years later, she still loves the Beatles.
Maybe related, maybe not

babys remember songs that you play during pregnancy and are comforted by them.Just sing along to your favorite songs theres nothing wrong with that

I was told this too, but I didn’t understand the logic - my baby heard my voice the whole time anyway and so would know me when born. I think if it feels right, then it’s lovely, but if not then there’s a million other things you’re doing and will do in the future. Now a toddler and we’re as close as we could be, it didn’t change anything. When she was in my womb I loved playing with her feet and gently massaging her, that was what came naturally to me.

I used to talk to her all the time. If you’re not sure what to say then just sing your favourite songs.
DH used to read children’s books to the bump also.

As PP said they hear you all day long anyway so I don't see if there's a big difference if your specifically talking to them directly or not lol. I was in theatre when DS was delivered by forceps. He was handed to DH and was screaming crying. The MW lifted him over to my face and as soon as I spoke he stopped crying immediately and his eyes searching for my voice. Such a special memory. I had tried talking to him on my own during pregnancy but also felt uncomfortable.

So just chat to other people or sing along to the radio and they'll recognise your voice I'm sure. DC2 is going to be well used to my shouting voice with DS 🤣 plus I read to him and sing together so they hear plenty!!

I talked to my bumps a bit (dh talked more than me), but when I was pregnant with dc2 I sang to dc1 a lot.

As babies, dc1 never really responded at all to me singing, whereas dc2 always responded positively to my singing. Both dc, now teens, are very musical, particularly dc1.

I got told at my first midwife appointment (7 weeks) to start talking and bonding with the baby. I tried it once and I felt like a twat. I could never connect my bump with it being a baby. I never ever bonded with my bump and it took me about 4 weeks to bond with the baby. She loves me now (I think) and I love her more than I ever thought possible so can't have done any harm. And have PP said the baby heard my voice constantly during pregnancy as I'm a phone worker! She probably got sick of me

Thanks everyone!! @homethenababy I'm so glad you said that, I thought I was alone in finding it hard to believe there's really a baby in there. I feel like he somehow just stays behind on the screen after each scan and I go home with a fat belly that rumbles a bit more than usual. I will try reading books, that's a good idea. Added complexity is that I speak English in daily life but intend to use my native language with baby, so it would be a good way to start that. I hope I can get over myself and talk enough when he's actually here...

I didn't talk to my bump. I found it awkward. I guess I didn't quite equate my bump to an actual baby so felt a bit silly! To be honest though I didn't really bond with the baby during pregnancy (previous losses meant I kept thinking the worst was going to happen the whole way through).

DD is now two weeks old and I chat to her all the time! I may not have bonded with her when she was in the womb, but I adore her now ❤

Also, as other posters have said, baby hears you talking anyway, even if you're not directly talking to them.

Nope. I thought it sounded ridiculous and that the baby would be hearing my voice all day whether I talked specifically to it or not. Both babies very much bonded to me and vice versa on their arrival.

Fine if you actually want to, but absolutely no need to make yourself if it feels silly.

my mother used to sing to me lullaby's in her native tong and i have done the same in my pregnancy.My daughter starts kicking when i sing =)

Nope. I was told to as a way to bond, but it made no sense to me as the baby would hear my voice anyway. Plus I didn't really want to bond with my bump, as I didn't believe I would actually get a live baby from it (severe anxiety).

Now he's here he is immediately soothed by my voice, I speak close to his face and he listens and stretches up to be closer to me. It's lovely.

I personally think it is a great idea, not only for the baby, but also for YOU. It gives you the chance to bond with your baby psychologically, form that mum-baby relationship level at a very early stage.

As for myself, I always tried to so good morning to my baby and at the end of the day me and my husband would tell her about our day.

Not now though... I have been suffering with a severe persistent cold, coughing like a mad dog. The poor baby must be thinking her mother will be a 60 year old male with serious smoking addiction lol 😂 I hope my heartbeat beat is as soothing for her as it was before... At least! 😊