Newborn babies can see and hear, and use behaviours to communicate with their parents and carers.
That’s according to North East Lincolnshire’s new Specialist Health Visitor for Perinatal and Infant Mental Health, Alison Carter.
Alison is new in the role, and it’s her job to offer families and professionals guidance on helping babies to grow and develop in a positive way.
“It’s a common misconception that when babies are born, they can’t see or hear. That’s not true. We know from research that babies are more responsive to their parents faces and voices.
“Newborn babies actually use different behaviours to communicate with their parents and this is something that your health visitor can help you to understand.
“This new role is an exciting opportunity to support our local parents and carers within North East Lincolnshire to help their babies grow and develop positively.
“Pregnancy, childbirth, and parenting can be challenging emotionally, and anyone can experience difficulties in adjusting to parenthood both before and after the birth of their baby.
“There should be no stigma attached to this, instead parents are supported by the service compassionately and without judgement.”
This week is national Baby Communication week (1st to 5th July). Local health services, including North East Lincolnshire Council’s Health Visitors, are using the week to promote awareness of the ways in which babies can communicate.
Babies’ brains can grow and develop better if carers can recognise what they are communicating and respond in a calm and prompt way.
“Most of that brain development takes place before the age of 2 years so infancy is the critical time to support to ensure positive lifelong emotional and physical health,” added Alison.
In North East Lincolnshire, all new babies are offered home visits by the Health Visiting service, and this includes a Newborn Behaviour Observation, giving the opportunity for parents to be supported in watching and interpreting their baby’s behaviour.
For those parents who may find it difficult to identify what their infant might be communicating to them, extra support can be offered from the Health Visiting service.
Mel Hill, Specialist Lead for Health Visiting, said: “Research shows that responsive and sensitive care-giving during the first 1001 critical days lays the foundations for future health and development.
“Alison, alongside the Health Visiting service, have a pivotal role in supporting infants and families during this crucial period.”
The Specialist Health Visitor works very closely with Maternity Services, the Family Hubs and the new Navigo Growing Well Together service to ensure parents and carers are fully supported, from conception and beyond, to help their child achieve their future potential in life.
If you require any further support in understanding how your baby communicates, contact your Health Visitor on (01472) 323660 or [email protected].
The Growing Well Together service can be contacted on (01472) 252570 [email protected]
Further information regarding infant communication can be gained at: https://www.brazelton.co.uk/parents/your-babys-language/
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