How Babies Become Bilingual at Seven Months

It is remarkable that bilingual babies can learn two languages at the same time other babies learn one. On average, bilingual and monolingual babies start talking around age 1 and can say 50 words at 18 months. But, the question is how?

DURATION and PITCH

According to a research from the university of British Columbia and Université Paris Descartes, from the age of seven months babies are able to distinguish two languages with different grammatical structures.

It shows that infants in bilingual environments use duration and pitch cues to distinguish between two languages that have opposite grammatical structures. Even if they do not understand the meaning of the words, they seem to be able to tell the difference between nouns, prepositions, verbs, and articles based on sound qualities.

According to Janet Werker, UBC psychologist and co-author of the study, babies know the differences between two opposing languages and use them as cues to tell one from the other in as early as seven months. Typically, languages have two grammatical structures – verb-object and object-verb. For example, the English phrase “Eat the banana” has the verb before the object. In Japanese, the equivalent phrase is “Ringo o taberu” which directly means “Apple eat”. Notice that the object comes before the verb.

FREQUENCY

Previous researches also showed that babies use frequency of words in speech to know their significance, so essentially they are learning by counting. For example, the words “the” and “with” come up more frequently than other words. However, babies who are growing up bilingual need to develop new methods to cope with two languages.

Italian researchers also wondered why there is no delay and found out that being bilingual makes the brain more flexible. According to their studies, bilingual babies learn two kinds of patterns at the same time. So, if you speak two languages at home, you do not need to be afraid your baby will have delayed speech development, as your baby is well-equipped to keep those languages separate.

These researchers hope to reassure parents that learning two languages at the same does not cause any delay in speech development. In facts, raising a bilingual child has a number of benefits. Learning two languages has been linked to earlier reading, better problem solving, and creative thinking compared to monolingual kids.

Do you speak two languages in your home?

Written by Team Health & Parenting

This information is not intended to replace the advice of a trained medical doctor. Health & Parenting Ltd disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information, which is provided to you on a general information basis only and not as a substitute for personalized medical advice. All contents copyright © Health & Parenting Ltd 2018. All rights reserved.

Could My Baby Having A Hearing Problem?

Your baby’s hearing plays a big role in her ability to learn. That’s why it’s so important to recognize signs of a hearing problem early. The vast majority of babies are born with perfect hearing. But worldwide, about 2000 babies a day are born with a hearing problem. Keep in mind, the number of babies born worldwide each day is estimated to be over 300,000. The odds are very much in your favor your baby’s hearing is fine.

Types of Hearing Problems

Hearing loss is one problem that can affect babies, but not the only one. Hyperacusis, which is an oversensitivity to sound, can also develop in babies. Whether it involves hearing loss or hyperacusis, it’s important to spot signs as early as possible so the problem can be remedied.

Signs of Hearing Loss

Although it can vary by location, many hospitals screen newborns for hearing loss before they leave. If your little one was not given a hearing test, speak to your pediatrician regarding administering the test.

But hearing loss can also develop a bit later in your baby’s life, so it’s helpful to be aware of symptoms. Symptoms of hearing loss can vary depending on the extent of the impairment, but there are some typical signs. For example, if your baby is three months old and does not seem to respond to sound or startle in response to a loud noise, it could indicate a problem.

Similarly, around four months if your baby is not turning his head towards sounds he cannot see or trying to imitate sounds by about six months, it could be due to a hearing impairment. If between nine and 12 months, your baby does not respond to his name or is not saying single words, such as “dada” by his first birthday, it could be a sign he has some degree of hearing loss.

Signs of Hyperacusis

Hyperacusis may be a bit harder to identify early on. After all, your baby can’t tell you that sounds seem overly loud. But one sign to be aware of involves your baby becoming especially distressed at loud noises. Also, if your baby screams at noises you barely notice, it could also indicate a problem.

Keep in mind, if your baby has one of the above signs it does not necessarily mean there is a problem. If you are unsure or suspect your little one does have a hearing problem, try not to panic. See your pediatrician to get a hearing test. Some hearing problems are reversible. If your baby does have a hearing problem, there are several treatments and interventions that can help your baby continue to thrive.

Written by MaryAnn DePietro @ writerlady34

This information is not intended to replace the advice of a trained medical doctor. Health & Parenting Ltd disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information, which is provided to you on a general information basis only and not as a substitute for personalized medical advice. All contents copyright © Health & Parenting Ltd 2016. All rights reserved.

Baby’s Dental Health: What You Should Know

Your baby may not even have any teeth yet, but it’s not too early to start her on the path to good dental health. Although those first teeth are only temporary, it’s still important to take good care of them. Decayed baby teeth can interfere with speech development and can cause permanent teeth to come in crooked.

One of the first things you can do to set the stage for healthy teeth is cleaning your baby’s gums. It might be surprising, but dentists recommend wiping your baby’s gums even before her first tooth comes in. Everyone has bacteria in their mouth, even your sweet baby. Bacteria may not harm your baby’s teeth if they have not cut through the gums yet. But it’s best to get your little one used to having her mouth cleaned.

At this point, you don’t need to use toothpaste. Just take a clean, wet washcloth or a piece of gauze and wipe your baby’s gums during bath time. Using this technique, you’ll wipe away bacteria and also stimulate her gums.

Once her first little tooth emerges, it’s time to start brushing your baby’s teeth. Choose a small, soft-bristled toothbrush. Use a circular motion when brushing, and be sure to be very gentle. Ideally, you should try to brush your baby’s teeth twice a day.

Dentists have different opinions on whether you should use toothpaste or not with babies, so ask your dentist or pediatrician. Your baby probably won’t get the hang of spitting toothpaste out right away, and you don’t want her to swallow too much. So if you do use toothpaste, stick to a tiny dab about the size of a grain of rice.

As your baby gets older, you can teach him to hold his toothbrush and try to brush his teeth. Keep in mind, you’ll probably have to do the brunt of the work until you child is five or six years old.

Most experts recommend your baby has his first dental checkup around his first birthday. Although your baby may only have a few teeth, your dentist can provide information and advice regarding tooth care, thumb sucking, pacifier use and teething.

Part of good dental care is also preventing tooth decay. Even young children can develop cavities. To decrease the chances of your little one developing a cavity, avoid putting your baby to bed with a bottle. If your baby falls asleep with a bottle, the milk can pool in her mouth, and the sugar in the milk can lead to tooth decay.

Written by MaryAnn DePietro @writerlady34

This information is not intended to replace the advice of a trained medical doctor. Health & Parenting Ltd disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information, which is provided to you on a general information basis only and not as a substitute for personalized medical advice. All contents copyright © Health & Parenting Ltd 2016. All rights reserved.

Suggestions for Setting Boundaries with Grandparents

Both your parents and your partner’s folks are probably super excited about becoming grandparents. You want them to be involved, but some well-meaning grandparents may overstep their role, which can lead to problems. Setting boundaries early can prevent disagreements and hurt feelings.

Why Problems Develop

There are several reasons why grandparents may take over. After all, your parents and in-laws have raised kids and probably know a thing or two about how to care for a baby. The problem is sometimes the unsolicited advice becomes too much and gets on your nerves.

Problems can also develop if you want to do things differently than your parents did. For example, grandma may suggest getting your little one on a parent-led schedule, while you may prefer to go with the flow. Other common conflicts that can arise are unannounced visits and grandparents who are overly possessive of your baby.

Setting Boundaries

It’s helpful to understand, setting healthy boundaries is not about hurting someone’s feeling or being unappreciative about their help. Instead, boundaries establish some basic guidelines to help grandparents understand your family’s needs. For instance, setting limits can help you get the rest you need as a new mom. Boundaries can also provide you time to bond as a family and allow you and your partner to learn to care for your baby on your own.

Taking Charge

If you decided it’s time to set some limits with grandparents, it’s helpful to remember; they usually mean well. They love you and your little one and want to help. For instance, it may be instinctual for your mom to offer advice if she sees you struggling with getting your baby to sleep. But just because grandpa and grandma are well-intentioned doesn’t mean, you can’t set limits. However, understanding the motivation behind their meddling may help decrease frustration.

Before you talk to your parents or in-laws, it’s a good idea to talk with your partner and make sure you’re both on the same page. Talk about the issues you’re having and what boundaries you both think need to be established.

Next, talk with grandparents honestly about what you need at this time in your life. Whether you want time alone with your partner and baby or less unsolicited advice, speak up and say what’s on your mind. By explaining your expectations, you increase the chances that grandparents will get on board and respect your wishes.

Lastly, remember to let grandparents know you appreciate them and are glad they are a part of your baby’s life. Sure, there may be a few kinks to work out as you all adjust to your new roles, but by establishing boundaries from the get-go, you’ll set the stage for a smooth transition for everyone.

Written by MaryAnn DePietro @ writerlady34

This information is not intended to replace the advice of a trained medical doctor. Health & Parenting Ltd disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information, which is provided to you on a general information basis only and not as a substitute for personalized medical advice. All contents copyright © Health & Parenting Ltd 2016. All rights reserved.

Music and Your Baby’s Development

Who doesn’t love a good tune? Music can be both calming and energizing. It can change your mood and help you relax. Guess what? It can have the same effects on your baby, but that’s not all. Research has shown that music can play an important role in many aspects of your baby’s development.

You may have already discovered the power of music when you try to help your little one settle down for a nap. In fact, playing soft music or singing a lullaby can be a great part of your nighttime routine.

But music does not only have a relaxing effect. It can also play a role in your baby’s cognitive development. Studies show that music can help babies learn about sequencing and patterns, as well as counting. Music may also enhance memory even in children. Research indicates that babies as young as eight months old were able to recognize parts of a song a couple of weeks after hearing it.

As your little one gets a bit older, music may also help your baby develop motor skills, balance, coordination and body awareness. Music can be an integral part of activities and games that enhance creativity and language skills. When you sing to your baby, you introduce new words and it also helps your baby develop listening skills.

While there are studies that suggest playing classical music for your baby may increase their intelligence, you don’t have to stick to Mozart or Bach for your baby to benefit from having music be a part of their life. Just singing to your baby is beneficial for their overall development. Whether you sing in perfect pitch or can’t quite carry a tune, don’t worry about it, your baby won’t care.

There are also a lot of additional ways to incorporate music into your baby’s routine. For example, have a jam session with your baby using a makeshift drum, rattle or a toy instrument.

Sing silly songs together that incorporate hand movements, such as the Itsy Bitsy Spider. Play music you enjoy and dance around with your baby in your arms. If you prefer a group atmosphere, there are also private companies that offer mommy and baby music classes.

Keep in mind, babies are receptive to music from an early age, so it’s never too early to start incorporating music into your baby’s life. Whether you’re playing with makeshift instruments or singing a song, enjoying music together is a great way to bond and have fun.

Written by MaryAnn DePietro @ writerlady34

This information is not intended to replace the advice of a trained medical doctor. Health & Parenting Ltd disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information, which is provided to you on a general information basis only and not as a substitute for personalized medical advice. All contents copyright © Health & Parenting Ltd 2016. All rights reserved.

5 Reasons Why You Should Talk to The Stay at Home Dad at Playgroup

Next time you’re at playgroup, look around, how many dads do you see? Chances are, not many. Playgroups are female-dominated environments. Most primary carers are women, and even though there are increasing numbers of stay at home dads, women still outnumber the men at baby groups. It can be pretty daunting to be a stay at home dad amongst a sea of moms, but you can change that by being a friendly face each week. Here are five reasons why you should talk to the dad at playgroup:

  1. You might be the only one

Playgroups vary wildly, but some can be remarkably unfriendly. If you think the moms at playgroup are cliquey, imagine how much harder it is for a man to break into that group! Some dads report feeling invisible at playgroups, but you have the power to change this. Reach out and make a new friend. The stay at home dads long for inclusion just as you do, so help a guy out by being friendly.

  1. He knows what you’re going through

He’s a man so he pees standing up, but aside from that, you’re actually pretty similar. He’s going through the same sleep regressions, weaning worries and separation anxiety that you are. Ok, these might not be topics you’d whip out in a bar to a chat to a guy you don’t know, but rest assured, they’ll be easy talking points with a stay at home dad. Don’t assume he doesn’t care about these things just because he’s a man. If he’s staying home to look after his baby, you can assume he’s into all that stuff and more.

  1. He could be a new couple friend

As the mom, it’s pretty easy for you to make new friends. You spend your maternity leave at baby groups and on coffee dates with mom friends. You’ll end up with a decent support circle around you. Your partner may not be so lucky. If he’s still working during your leave, he may not make those important social connections. If he’s the first of his friends to have a baby, it can be a pretty isolating experience. By becoming friendly with the dads at playgroup, you’re widening your social circle and finding friends your partner might like as well.

  1. Your baby will learn about gender equality

We live in an equal world, right? So why are women still the ones doing most of the unpaid labor when it comes to childcare and housework? If you’re hoping to set a good example for your kids, it’s easy to feel guilty when you find yourself stepping into the role of primary carer. Fear not, stay at home dad can help with this problem. He can play an important role in your baby’s life simply by showing that it’s not always the moms who stay home, dads can be primary carers too!

  1. He might be awesome

It’s hard to predict which people you’ll get on with and which you won’t. Instead of judging the stay at home dad, give him the chance to get to know you. If he turns out to be an awesome guy, you might just have yourself another friend for life. After all, in this haze of sleepless night, diaper changes and cluster feeds, you could do with all the help you can get.

Do you have any stay at home dad friends?

Written by Fiona (@Fiona_Peacock), mother, writer and lover of all things baby related.

This information is not intended to replace the advice of a trained medical doctor. Health & Parenting Ltd disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information, which is provided to you on a general information basis only and not as a substitute for personalized medical advice. All contents copyright © Health & Parenting Ltd 2016. All rights reserved.

3 Great Places to Make New Mom Friends

Isn’t being a new mom great? The sweet baby coos. The cuddles. The feeling of total fulfillment you get in being your baby’s favorite person in the world.

Then again, there’s also the lack of sleep. And the whole smelling like baby vomit thing. Plus… you can’t remember the last time you talked to another adult who wasn’t your partner.

Yes, being a new mom is great. But it is also an intensely transitory state of being, where everything about your life is changing. Some women are lucky enough to go through that transition with a solid group of mom friends already by their side; women who are in the same life stage and can serve as a beacon of support. But for a lot of women, this transition also means feeling fairly alone in what you are going through, not having that support system to lean back on.

If that describes you and your situation, what you need is a few new mom friends! And here’s where you can make them:

  1. Mommy and Me Classes: Starting at about 6 weeks old, there are all kinds of classes you can begin taking your little one to. From basic Mommy and Me, to swimming, gymnastics, music and more—a quick search online should tell you exactly what is available in your area. These classes can be great for you and your baby, but perhaps more importantly, they can serve as a fantastic opportunity to meet other moms with babies around the same age as your own. Remember to smile and make small talk your first few classes, as you search for a fellow mom (or moms) you feel a connection with. Then, suggest a play date!
  2. At the Park: Or the grocery store. Or the pediatrician’s office. Really, anywhere that new moms might congregate is a great place to keep an eye out for new friends. Be warm and genuine in your approach, and you may find that you aren’t the only one looking for some new moms to connect with. This can be a lonely time, after all; so be brave. Making a new friend is worth taking the risk of saying, “Hello” and striking up a conversation. Hint: “How old is he/she?” is a great place to start!
  3. Online Mommy Boards: Sure, it would be great if you could make some mommy friends right next door. But depending on where you live, that may not be an option; it doesn’t mean you have to remain lonely, though. The Internet has opened us up to a whole new way of connecting, and between Facebook and dedicated mommy boards, there are tens of thousands of potential mommy friends around the world, just waiting to connect and find someone to navigate alongside in this new world of motherhood.

Written by Leah Campbell, infertility advocate, adoptive mama, writer and editor. Find me @sifinalaska on Twitter.

This information is not intended to replace the advice of a trained medical doctor. Health & Parenting Ltd disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information, which is provided to you on a general informational basis only and not as a substitute for personalized medical advice. All contents copyright Health & Parenting Ltd 2016. All rights reserved.