Today Tile Triggered Content

Eye contact is an important part of communication, and although your baby is still developing their eyesight, they will be able to make eye contact with the people around them. We use eye contact as part of understanding what others are trying to tell us – sometimes there are no words needed.

Do you enjoy a chat with your baby? They might be starting to respond with a smile, sound, or wriggle, and often that's enough encouragement for us to keep going. But, as well as being lots of fun and giving us some really cute videos to save and share with friends and family, these chats are amazing for your baby's development. Scientists at Harvard University call these chats, 'serve and return' interactions – read on to find out more. 

The term ‘serve and return’ is used to describe the reciprocal interactions that adults have with babies and children.

Our vestibular sense is related to balance and posture. Developing this sense, which has receptors in our inner ear, helps us to maintain balance while doing everyday tasks like walking, bending and sitting without having to concentrate on it. This frees us up to concentrate on other tasks while we move around.  

Your toddler needs time and lots of active movement to develop their vestibular sense.  

Mirror play is great for babies and promotes a number of early developmental processes. You might notice your baby studying their own image in the mirror as well as observing and responding to their own movements.

Have you lost the time to do things you enjoy? Do you feel guilty for wanting this time? Remembering who you are aside from being a parent is vital for your wellbeing and for your baby, and we have some ideas for how you can do it. 

These stories have been written by the same me.
The same me with different children.
The same me on different days.
The same me at different times of the day.
The same me with different baby classes.
The same me with different Mums in the same baby classes.
The same me with different leaders of the same baby classes.

You see, I have loved and hated baby classes. And my babies have loved and hated baby classes. And this hasn’t made me a better or a worse mother. Just as it hasn’t made them good or bad babies.

The first weeks and months of parenthood can pass by in a fog of sleepless nights and new experiences for you and your baby. You might still be adjusting to parenthood or starting to have some days when you feel like you're getting the hang of it – interspersed with days when you feel you still have everything to learn.

The neuroscientist Lisa Feldman Barrett says, 'We have the kind of nature that requires nurture.’

As you follow your baby’s journey in the app, you'll notice we mention the core muscles and core strength. So, what is the core and why is core strength an important part of your baby’s development?

Being a parent can feel hard – but there is plenty of joy to be had too. We're here to support you in enjoying those simple, precious moments with your baby.