When babies are born early, their brains need time to continue to develop in a calm, quiet environment that mimics the womb. Spending time with your baby will help you get to know each other. Your baby will be familiar with your voices from when they were still growing in pregnancy, so this can be a calming and comforting sound. You don’t have to talk all the time. Being close, seeing them, and allowing them to see you, if they can, all help too!
If you’re unsure when to talk or what to talk about, this information will ease you in and help you get to know each other in the early days.
When is a good time to chat?
Just like adults, babies sometimes prefer to have some quiet time, especially if they are tired, hungry or uncomfortable. Babies born early can get tired quickly and they will need plenty of time to rest. As you get to know your baby, you will notice the different ways they let you know how they’re feeling.
Watch out for their cues: These are the little ways they show you what they need. Your baby will interact through movements, facial expressions and noises long before they can use words. Your neonatal team can help you understand what your baby is telling you and can help you to support those cues.
You can respond by talking to them with a calm voice or repeating the movements or noises they make. You will learn how your baby lets you know they are ready for a rest too, such as yawning or splaying their hands.
Consider what else has happened in the time before you chat: Check they’re in a rested and peaceful state. If they can, their eyes may be open too. You’ll start to notice the things your baby finds soothing when they’re unsettled, like gentle touch. When your baby is calm, it’s a lovely time to connect and interact.
What should I talk about?
Talking to babies helps them feel safe and loved. It’s a great way to get to know each other. Talking lets them know you’re nearby, and your voice will become more familiar to them. There are so many things you can talk about too! Use a soft, gentle voice when you’re chatting, to help create a calm environment for your baby. You can try:
Talking about what you’re doing: Start by telling them it’s you. Use their name and talk about what you’re doing and what’s coming next. This will help them feel calm and connected, and it also supports their early language development.
Responding to the sounds and facial expressions they make: When your baby makes noises or changes their expression, you can have a conversation by listening, watching and copying. This shows them you’re listening, which helps them feel understood and encourages them to keep communicating.
Useful tips
Looking at books: You can read a story to your baby or talk about and explain the pictures you can see. If you repeat the same story often your baby may become familiar with it and begin to find the words and sounds soothing, and it’s a lovely way to feel close and connected.
Singing songs and rhymes: You can try a few songs or repeat the same ones. It doesn’t matter which songs you sing either! All singing helps your baby feel secure as they know you are close by. They may recognise familiar songs, and the rhythm and repetition supports their early language and listening skills.
Creating warm, playful moments: As your baby grows, you can begin to try simple, physical interactions like skin-to-skin, counting their toes, or playing peek-a-boo. These calm, playful moments help them hear new sounds and words as they begin to understand some of what you say.
Every baby develops at a different pace, and you know your baby best. If you have any questions, please speak to the team supporting you and your baby.
We know you can't always be on the neonatal unit. Whatever you can do with your baby, or babies, is brilliant for them. Your neonatal team can help you find other ways for babies to hear your voice while you’re not around, like recording yourself saying hello or singing a song or rhyme.