A new government campaign – Start for Life’s “If They Could Tell You” – has launched to support parents and carers to build secure bonds to help nurture their baby’s future mental health, along with easy-to-follow guidance on the Start for Life website.
The campaign aims to highlight that babies’ expressions, reactions, noises, and cries are the way they communicate their needs and feelings to parents which in some cases can be an indication of their mental wellbeing.
The aim is to help parents and carers learn how to interpret these cues so they can find the best way to meet their babies’ needs.
A baby’s brain is making one million neural connections every second, making pregnancy and the first 2 years so important for their healthy development. These connections are formed as a result of the interaction between parents and their babies, laying the foundations for their physical and emotional wellbeing, now and in future. Secure relationships with parents and carers positively impacts child development outcomes and reduces the likelihood of mental health difficulties.
The new guidance also helps frontline practitioners to start conversations with parents and carers to explore their relationship with their baby, in order to provide support. The document, for health visitors, midwives, nursing associates, family support workers and social workers, also sets out the steps workers can take to support parents who are struggling to connect with their baby.
Child development expert Dr Amanda Gummer has these tips for parents to help interpret cues and build strong connections with your baby.
1. Mirror your baby’s reactions and emotions
Babies need you to help them learn about themselves and the world around them. Your baby might be telling you they’re ready to play if they’re smiling or cooing. You can mirror your baby’s reactions and emotions – such as smiling back if they have bright eyes – as this shows them that it’s OK to express those emotions.
2. Comfort your baby when they are crying
It’s important to respond to their cries, as well as their smiles, with love and reassurance. If your baby is crying, try soothing them with gentle rocking, speaking softly, or singing to them. Remember, you can’t ‘spoil’ a baby with too many cuddles and it doesn’t make them clingy. Babies will cry for different lengths and at different times, so try not to compare your baby to others. Babies also cry for different reasons; pain cries can be different to hunger or tired cries so try to understand what they’re telling you to help you respond appropriately. Looking after yourself is also really important and will help you to comfort your baby’s cries.
3. Enjoy playing face-to-face with your baby in everyday moments
The more you cuddle, look at and play face-to-face with your baby, the more secure they’ll feel, and the more independent they’ll become. In time, they will feel confident that you will be there for them. This can be as simple as saying what they do and name what they see, as you’re going about your routine.
4. Let your baby take breaks when they need them (and the same goes for you!)
Your baby’s body language, facial expressions, noises, and cries are their ways of telling you what they need. Sometimes they might be telling you they just need a break. Show them that it’s ok if they need to try something different, or to just to rest. Remember to also take care of yourself, and take a moment when needed, so you’re ready to understand and respond to your baby’s cues.