Crying is still the primary way a child communicates and lets parents know they need something. They may also have fussy periods or may cry when overwhelmed by all the sights and sounds of the world. Your baby will respond to the sound of your voice by turning their head and calming down, smiling or getting excited and moving their arms and legs. When you smile, your child may smile back.
Babies are discovering the ability to make sounds: soon you will have a cooing and gurgling car! Your baby will “talk” to you with different sounds. Some babies begin to make some vowel sounds at this time.
Communicate with your child more often. The baby loves the sound of your voice. So talk, read, sing and coo during these first months. React enthusiastically to your child’s sounds and smiles. Tell your child what he is looking at or doing and what you are doing. Name familiar objects when you touch them or bring them to your child.
“Talk” to the child. If you hear your child making a sound, repeat it and wait for a response. You are teaching your child valuable lessons about tone, tempo, and alternation when you are talking to someone else. It also sends the message that your child is important enough to listen to. Don’t interrupt or look away when your baby is “talking” – show that you are interested and that your baby can trust you.
Notice when your child needs quiet time. Sometimes children are not in the mood to talk or make sounds. They may need to take a break from all the stimulation. Infants may turn away, close their eyes, become restless or irritable. If this happens, let the baby rest or just try hugging him.
