Jordan Fajemisin-Scott

Watch and learn. 👀 🧠 I’ve written often about how infants learn language not just with their ears, but with their eyes. But I’ve rarely run across a better video example than this lovely moment shared to IG by seanandcaitlin. Watch this back and forth closely. As mom speaks, our hero (shown here just shy of 8 weeks old) puts his newfound visual acuity to good use - studying not just the sounds she’s making, but the way mom’s mouth moves to produce them. And watch how closely he manages to mimic her - repeating her greeting over and over again. He’s not yet vocalizing the sound. But make no mistake: That little mouth is parroting the movement of mom’s own. He’s saying “hi.” This video helps to illustrate the ways in which language learning is fundamentally social - happening best through engaged, face-to-face interaction with loved ones (and not through prolonged exposure to media). Prioritize face to face time with your baby. It unlocks the whole world for them.

Can you cuddle your baby too much? The short answer is no. You might have heard guidance that being too responsive to your baby will spoil them. But that’s really not the case in infancy. Indeed, being responsive to your baby’s desire for comfort is an important part of bonding and attachment. When you respond attentively to your infant’s cues it helps to create trust, love, and a sense of safety - all cornerstones of longterm mental health and wellbeing. Don’t forget that your baby has just spent 9 months in close quarters, surrounded by gentle pressure in utero. It’s little wonder then that they find skin to skin contact and cuddles such a great source of comfort. No parent can be fully responsive 24-7, of course, so be kind to yourself. But infancy definitely isn’t the time to skimp on the affection your baby craves for fear of spoiling. Love them up. This cuddly pair was shared to IG by cute_baby_reels_12.

Your baby’s favorite toy might just be a baby of their own. Here’s why: As your little one begins to engage in imaginary play, they don’t begin in far off lands… and don’t role play as princesses, firefighters, or astronauts. All that will come later. Where they start is with what they know and who they love. So don’t be surprised when they begin role playing as YOU. It can be a humbling mirror, for sure. But I’d say this little guy’s parents have a lot to be proud of. Watch carefully as our hero shows off all his best parenting tricks, gently patting and cuddling his baby doll, speaking face-to-face, and even supporting its neck. What you’re seeing here is a reflection of his day-to-day reality and the tender caretaking of his own most important role models. Isn’t that beautiful? This attentive little “father” was shared to IG by mandvandheyd.

Your baby loves repetition. Your baby loves repetition. Your baby loves repetition. It’s true. Routines and rituals help your child to feel safe and secure. And predictable patterns not only help your little one to make sense of the world - but gradually assume roles of their own. Watch this fantastic video, edited together by alliewojciak on IG. Each day as they arrive home from preschool, Allie greets her son in the same way as they get out of the car: a dramatic door open that reveals her smiling face and a tender “Hi.” You can tell this is a beloved ritual. Watch her son’s expectant face in videos shot across multiple days. He knows just where to look and what’s coming next - greeting mom with the same delighted grin each and every time. After enough repetitions, he begins beating her to the punch - taking responsibility for the daily “Hi!” Isn’t it lovely? Mom has made the whole thing possible by making this interaction so predictable. As adults, endless repetition can sometimes be a little maddening (when your little one wants to read the same book for the 20th time this week, for example) but know that the routines you are establishing are a normal part of development - and provide not only comfort, but a familiar foundation from which your toddler can begin inserting themselves into the process. So cool!