Talking to your bump

Talking to your bump before your baby is born and in the early weeks after birth helps you get to know each other and form a close bond.

Bonding can begin before birth. Babies’ brains develop very quickly during pregnancy – they can hear and feel things too.

Did you know that babies’ hearing starts developing from about sixteen weeks into pregnancy?
By 6 months of pregnancy, your baby can hear music and voices and recognise familiar voices

Babies recognise voices and can start to respond even while they’re still in the womb.

Feeling your baby move and kick in response to your voice and your touch makes those early conversations really rewarding
Making a connection with your baby helps you feel very close to them even before they are born

Find regular quiet times when you can talk and sing to your baby
Try ‘turn taking’: when you feel them kick, rub that spot. Wait for another kick and respond again
Babies hear their mother’s heartbeat all the time, day and night. Try gently tapping or making a sound along with it
Encourage partners, grandparents and any older siblings to get involved too
You may notice your baby relaxes at the sound of familiar voices, and becomes calmer and quieter when you are talking to them. Notice how your baby responds
If you’re not sure what to say, try reading a baby book aloud or sing nursery rhymes or talk about everyday things, your baby will just enjoy the sound of your voice
Gently rocking and moving to music is a good way for your baby to develop movement skills and balance even before birth