Talking to Your Baby (and Feeling Confident Doing It)

Her Story & Co.
3 days ago
2 min read

Talking to your baby matters — even when they can’t talk back yet

One of the most common things parents tell me in postnatal groups is:

“I know I’m meant to talk to my baby… but sometimes I just don’t know what to say.”

If that’s you — you’re not alone.

And the good news? You’re probably already doing far more than you realise.

Babies learn language from hearing your voice from day one. Not from flashcards, apps, or perfectly narrated play — but from being included in everyday life.

Your voice is a superpower

Babies are born ready to listen. Long before they understand words, they’re tuning into:

your tone

your rhythm

your facial expressions

the back-and-forth of interaction

This is why your voice matters more than anyone else’s.

Research shows that babies respond particularly well to something called “parentese” — that natural, sing-song, warm way we often speak to babies without even thinking about it. It helps them tune in, recognise sounds, and start building the foundations for language.

You don’t need to talk more.

You don’t need to talk better.

You just need to include your baby in your day.

Easy ways to talk to your baby (without pressure)

Here are some simple, realistic ways to build talking into everyday moments:

Narrate the moment

You can describe what’s happening as it happens:

“Now we’re doing your nappy… wipes… all clean!”

Repeat simple phrases

Babies love repetition. The same phrases again and again help them learn patterns:

“Up we go!”

“Let’s get cosy.”

“All done.”

Copy them back

If your baby coos, smiles, or makes a sound — copy it back and pause.

This turn-taking is an early conversation, and babies love it.

Name what you see

You don’t need full sentences:

“Tree.”

“Car.”

“Dog.”

“Leaves.”

Reading counts from birth (yes, really)

You don’t need your baby to sit still.

You don’t need to finish the book.

You don’t even need a baby book.

Reading to a baby is about connection, not comprehension.

Two pages with expression, pauses, and your baby snuggled in counts just as much as reading the whole story. Babies might look away, kick, feed, or fall asleep — all normal.

You don’t need to entertain your baby