Now that you are settling into your pregnancy you will be starting to think about your baby:
- What will baby look like?
- Will they be a boy or a girl?
- What will we call them?
Perhaps you are now rubbing your belly, or noticing your baby’s movements more? Many people start talking to their baby bump, or singing to them. If you have a partner or the baby has siblings they may also be starting to engage with the baby.
All these actions are very normal and are encouraged because they are important ways of bonding with your baby during your pregnancy.
You can learn more about the importance of your developing relationship with your baby here:
Our brains are filled with billions of nerve cells which are busy forming whilst a baby is growing in the womb.
By 18 weeks of pregnancy a babies ears are able to send signals to the brain, by 24 weeks it can recognise your voices!
Hearing your voice can help calm your baby and helps you start to build a close bond. Talking, reading and singing to your baby also helps their brain grow.
This early connection helps your baby learn, behave well and stay healthy as they grow.
- Growing your baby’s brain ouh.nhs.uk Oxfordshire midwives
- When can baby hear your voice in the womb? BBC Tiny Happy People
- Singing to baby: When can babies hear in the womb? BBC Tiny Happy People
- Shaping Us Centre for Early Childhood