Love, Talk, Sing, Read, Play (0-2 Months)

What is my baby learning to do:
smile and laugh

listen to voices

Kick legs

Eating and sleeping patterns

Love
Cuddle and kiss your baby. Babies love to be held. You can't spoil your baby by giving too much attention.

Babies cry because they need something. They may be hungry, tired, scared, sick, need to be held or need a nappy change. If you comfort them when they cry, they will learn that the world is safe and cry less. Spend time getting to know what your baby's different cries mean.

Look at your baby's face while they look at you as this helps bonding and helps brain development.

Try to develop routines for baths and sleep about the same time every day.

Talk, Sing, Read
Babies are learning from the moment they are born. Most brain development happens in your baby's first three years.

Respond to your baby's sounds. Smile and talk back. Babies would rather listen to your voice than anything else.

Sing or say the same rhyme each bedtime. Lullabies can help soothe and help him / her sleep.

Play
From birth, children are keen to learn about their world by playing.

Hold your baby's hand and let him/her grip your finger.

Softly stroke your baby and gently move his/her arms and legs up and down when he/she is happy on his / her back.

Seek further advice if your baby :
Seems floppy or stiff
Cries a lot
Arches his/her back a lot
Isn't responding to sounds
Isn't showing interest or listening when played with
Isn't feeding as expected


Source : Blackmore, R & Garlick, L (2009), Love, Talk, Sing, Read, Play, Familes NSW