Pregnant woman sitting on bed peacefully

Talking to Baby

It takes a lot of patience to make it through nine months of pregnancy, because you can’t wait to meet Baby, and they can’t wait to meet you! But just because there’s the small issue of your abdomen standing in between you and them, doesn’t mean you two can’t begin to get acquainted!

Whether you’re getting Baby used to your voice or teaching them Latin, talking to them may end up proving very beneficial once Baby is born.

How can talking to Baby help?

It’s very difficult to study the effect that talking to Baby during pregnancy can have, because babies don’t tend to be the most clear communicators, often preferring to get their point across with the effective baby trifecta of screaming, crying and pooping.

However, many healthcare providers and scientists believe that babies can actually get acclimated to the sound of their parents voices, and once born, will therefore respond better to the voices they know. In fact, one study conducted by a professor at the University of Washington suggests that babies might already be listening and remembering during the late stages of pregnancy.

Talking to Baby may also help stir up the learning juices, and make it easier for them to learn how to talk.

Fun things to say to Baby

If you’re having trouble getting started talking to Baby, here are some ideas for things you can talk about:

  • Talk to them like they are already born. Even just telling them about your day-to-day routine could help them get to know you
  • Respond to Baby’s kicks and movements to establish a pattern of dialogue
  • Singing them happy songs (or playing music) could get them to make connections with positive emotions
  • Tell Baby you love them. They probably won’t know what it means, but it will help you get closer with them, and set the groundwork for a happy home

Even if the research on talking to babies is unproven, it certainly can’t hurt. Whether it makes Baby into a super genius, or simply familiarizes them with your voice, talking to them can be an invaluable tool for all parents-to-be, and a fun way to start to feel more connected to your little one.


Reviewed by Dr. Jamie Lo
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Sources
  • Beth Skwarecki. “Babies Learn to Recognize Words in the Womb.” Science Magazine. American Association for the Advancement of Science, 8/26/2013. Web.

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