Talk & Play

Communication During Pregnancy

Even whilst they are in the womb, a baby can begin to build a bond with the people who love them. From about 16 weeks babies can hear their mum’s voice, and by about 20 weeks they start to get to know other familiar voices too.

Knowing unborn babies can hear you, gives you a great opportunity to begin communicating and building a bond with your baby even before they are born.

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Talking, Singing & Reading

Your unborn baby loves to hear the sound of your voice. It calms them and helps them to will start to build the connection between feeling safe and secure and you. They are not worried about what you say or how you sound.

Talk about anything to them; what you are doing, how you are feeling, what you need from the shops!
Sing favourite songs, nursery rhymes or something you’ve made up – you sound great to your baby.
Read a magazine, a children’s book - anything at all. It will give you and your baby the chance to tune into each other and all the time your baby will be getting to know familiar and safe voices.

Encourage your partner to get involved – your baby can get to know their voice and will be able to recognise it when they arrive. Siblings will also really enjoy talking to the bump and sharing songs and stories with them.

Talking to your baby graphic - talking and touching your bump can help the baby develop - speak slowly and sing softly. From 20 weeks your baby might respond with wriggles and kicks.

Take Time

Find quiet moments to think about your baby and becoming a parent. Picture meeting your baby and the times you will share.

Right from the start of pregnancy take time to relax and get to know your baby. This will help you feel connected and will help your relationship with each other grow. This quiet time releases oxytocin; a pregnancy hormone that makes you and baby feel good.

Partners have those ‘feel good’ hormones too – day dreaming about your baby is a lovely thing to do and will help you relax and bond with your son or daughter.

Tune Into Baby's Movement

Do they move more at particular times of the day?
When are they quietest?
What and who do they react to the most?

Let your baby know you are thinking about them and keeping them safe. When the baby kicks and moves touch where you feel their movement. You may find that they kick and move in response - showing you they know you are near.

You will already be getting to know your little one.

Stroking Your Bump

Music

Listen to music together:

Choose music that you and your baby can relax to. You could play a favourite tune every day.
After birth babies can be comforted by the music they heard often in the womb.

Downloads

NHS - Talk To Your Bump

Download

Who can Help?

You can contact the Healthy Child Service team by calling Just One Number on 0300 300 0123 or texting Parentline on 07520 631590. Our opening hours are 8am-6pm Monday-Friday (excluding bank holidays) and 9am-1pm on Saturdays.

If you are 11-19 you can text ChatHealth on 07480 635060 for confidential advice from one of our team.

You can speak to other Norfolk parents and carers by clicking our online community forum below.