Table of contents:
- When can the baby hear?
- The importance of the father asking the baby to talk from in the womb
- What can father say to the baby?
- Don't just talk to, but don't smoke near the baby
Babies can hear and distinguish all sounds around them since they are still in the womb. Did you know that these sounds can affect the development process of the fetus until it is born? That's why you need to be diligent about talking to your baby throughout pregnancy. Not only mothers, fathers are also important to continue communicating with their future children. Indeed, what is the benefit if the father invites the baby to talk even though he is still in the womb?
When can the baby hear?
According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, babies can hear sounds from the outside environment from 19 to 21 weeks of gestation. However, some new babies will be able to respond to sounds they hear as early as week 24, while others begin between 26-30 weeks of age.
An interesting study of preterm infants showed that they focused more on the low-pitched sounds of the father than the high-pitched sounds typical of the mother's voice.
The importance of the father asking the baby to talk from in the womb
So far, the role of the father is a little more secondary in ensuring the health of the fetus. In fact, health experts from all over the world emphasize the importance of prospective fathers to continue to be proactive in maintaining the baby's growth and development while in the womb. This is not without reason.
More and more studies have shown that the role of the father in talking to the baby in fact has a much greater influence on the development of the future baby.
It may feel like you are talking to yourself at first, but talking to a baby-to-be while they are still in the womb helps the two of you build a lasting bond. Studies show that your voice that he hears will feel soothing, both while in the womb and when you can finally meet them as a newborn.
What's more, talking to your baby frequently helps her learn. The conversations you have with the baby in the third trimester serve as a strong foundation for their social and emotional development, as well as their language and memory skills. In other words, your voice has shaped their understanding of the world.
What can father say to the baby?
Dad can talk to the prospective baby about the days he had, what he is working on, how you met the mother, or simply tell your little one about your hobbies. Even if babies don't really understand what you are talking about, it can help them feel closer to their father's voice.
By bumping into their day, hobbies, or interests, it can help them feel more involved in your pregnancy too. And even if your baby doesn't yet understand what is being said, it's great to know that by the third trimester, at least, they are listening and already getting to know a little about their family.
You can also play music or read a story to him. Yes! It's never too early to start getting your child accustomed to reading or influencing his or her taste in music. In fact, the sooner you guide them to the good stuff, the better the information will stick to their brains into old age.
Reporting from Livestrong, the National Association for Music Education advises prospective parents to choose and play the right music. This is because the type of music you choose will shape your language mastery skills after your little one is born. Apart from that, it can also improve the fine and gross motor skills of the baby during his development.
Therefore, get your future baby to communicate as often as possible. Without you knowing it, your little one will give a certain response to the sound you give, either with small movements, soft kicks, and so on. The more often dad invites the baby to talk, the easier it will be for your baby to recognize your voice when he is born, you know!
After your little one is born, this communication habit needs to be continued. This can make him feel more cared for so that his motor development can be faster. Therefore, let's talk to your little one and always guarantee that you will always take care of him wherever he is.
Don't just talk to, but don't smoke near the baby
Happy mothers can grow healthy babies. Yes, this means that husbands are obliged to make their wives happy and healthy so that the little one in the womb is also healthy. The reason is, pregnant women certainly need lots of rest, away from stress, and healthy food intake.
Stress conditions and smoking habits are the two most important things that fathers must be aware of. Pregnant women who experience stress are prone to channel their worries to the fetus, so that the baby in the womb can also feel stressed. As a result, this can hamper fetal development.
In addition, immediately stop smoking if you are an active smoker. If you are still having trouble quitting, at least avoid smoking near pregnant women. Smoking during pregnancy (either by the mother or from exposure to secondhand smoke from people around her) can increase the risk of birth defects and sudden infant death syndrome.
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