Understanding What Your Baby’s First Sounds Mean
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As a new parent, it’s pretty exciting to hear your baby’s first words. Moms hope that this word is “mamma”, and dads wish that his little one’s first word is “dada”. But before they reach the first word stage, there are a bunch of sounds that babies make. Often known as baby talk, these sounds are mostly coos and caas, which parents don’t pay much heed to. You adore it, no doubt, and cannot get enough of it. But did you know that every sound your infant makes indicates something? If you’re excited to find out, keep reading this article where we decipher the heartwarming sounds that every baby makes.
What Are The Common Sounds?
Every baby is different, but there is a set of universal sounds for babies all over the world. Let’s look at some of the common sounds:
1. Coos
The cooing starts as early as two months when your baby starts experimenting with their tongue and voice. When you hear your baby cooing, you know that in no time, your little one is going to say their first words. The cooing is an indication that your baby is warming up to their first words. Congratulations, dear parents!
2. Grunts
Pigs might be cute, but your baby is not meant to sound like one. When your baby grunts, it’s because their nose is stuffy, and breathing through a stuffy nose lets out a grunting sound. Ensure that you check with your doctor and try to keep your baby clean. They can’t communicate it, but they are surely experiencing discomfort.
3. Gurgles
Gurgles are the sounds your baby makes when saliva collects at the bottom of your baby’s throat. Sometimes saliva drools out of their mouth too. Gurgling occurs because your baby does not know how to swallow their saliva yet. With time, they will learn how to, and the gurgling stops.
4. Breath
Your baby’s breathing patterns for the first few months of their lives are quite irregular, leading to pausing and heavy breathing. You might be scared when you hear it because they sound like they are breathless. But don’t worry, it’s just a sign of them growing up. However, consult your doctor because she/he knows best and you can be worry-free.
Simple Ways To Help Your Baby With Sounds
It might seem one-sided when your baby cannot communicate with you. But they understand you and recognize sounds, words, and even expressions. So what can you do to help them with sounds and saying their first words? Scroll down to find out:
1. Read To Them
You might think that reading to a baby is pointless because they do not understand what you read. But reading aloud to them helps them develop listening, memory, and vocabulary. They are introduced to new words, sounds, and information about the world around them. Besides, it’s a great bonding activity for you and your baby (1).
2. Talk To Them
The more you talk to them, the faster they learn words, sounds, and languages. Tell them about your day and describe what you’re doing. It keeps them hooked to your voice, and they pick up new vocabulary. For example, you could say, “We are going to dress up in warm clothes and take a stroll around the park. You like that, don’t you?”. Stressing on words and talking slowly helps them pick up on specific cues.
3. Sing To Them
We don’t just mean the lullabies. Singing to your baby helps them develop their communication and listening skills. Expressive songs, rhymes, and catchy tunes work best for babies. You might even see them smiling to a song, and it’s quite adorable!
Having a baby is a life-changer, and the biggest thrill for new parents is to witness their precious baby grow up— one step at a time. But before your baby’s first words, there are a few milestones that they cross, and we hope this article helped you understand those milestones. Share this article with your friends and family to spread the knowledge!
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