Talk to Your Baby with Body Language

You and your baby are “talking” to each other even though he doesn’t say words yet. You are doing what comes naturally. You are using body language as well as words.

Body language includes what you do with your face, the tone of the sounds and words you make, singing, eye contact and body movements. You can show love for your baby by hugging him and rocking him. You can show love by playing with him and smiling at him. He will "talk" back to you with coos, wiggles and smiles.

Even at three months, your baby knows the sound of your voice from other people’s voices. He will make eye contact with you to "say" that he knows you are his mom or dad. He will turn toward you and brighten when he sees and hears you.

You are learning to “speak” your baby’s language, too. You can tell the difference when he is crying because he is hungry or because he needs changing. You can tell when he’s crying because he wants you to hold him.

You have learned when he is tired of playing or has had enough to eat because he turns away or stiffens his body. He will make sounds other than crying to let you know how he feels or what he wants. You can tell when he wants some quiet time to just look around or to take a nap.

Talking with your baby lets him know he is loved and you care about him.