How my toddler taught me how to talk to babies

If you’ve ever had a baby—or are preparing to—you’ve probably heard about the importance of talking to them right from the start. Those early conversations (even if one-sided!) help babies develop language, connect with you, and begin to understand their world.

It’s true—when your baby is awake, they are completely captivated by you. They study your face, listen to your voice, and soak in every sound and expression.

But let’s be honest: talking to someone who doesn’t talk back can feel kind of awkward.

I remember sitting with my newborn, cooing “I love you so much,” and “Hi, my little beauty,” but quickly I’d run out of things to say. Narrating my every move—“Now I’m folding laundry!”—felt unnatural and forced.

From the book Your Amazing Newborn

Fast-forward a few years, and now I have a very curious, very talkative three-year-old. He asks “why” about everything.

“What’s that?”
“Why is that truck over there?”
“Who’s that person?” — pointing to a random passerby across the street.

Half the time, I have no idea. But I’ve gotten better at thinking on my feet.

“That’s a neighbor—maybe they’re going to the grocery store.”
“Why?”
“Because that’s where people go to buy food.”
“Why?”
“Because we need food for our bodies to grow, stay healthy, and have energy.”

And yes… it goes on like that for quite a while!

Earlier this week, I was wearing a client’s baby on a walk, and I caught myself saying:

“Look! The leaves are changing color—they’re orange, yellow, and brown because it’s fall. When it gets colder, the leaves fall off the trees. In winter, the trees are bare, but in spring the leaves grow back, and by summer they’re full and green again!”

Can you guess who I’ve had that exact conversation with before?

My toddler has trained me to narrate the world.

Another skill that’s developed from parenting him is explaining what’s going to happen next—something I used to struggle with when he was a baby. Now it comes naturally. I talk through our plans days or even weeks in advance:

“After school, your uncle will pick you up. Then you’ll go to the park, come home for dinner, and when it’s bedtime, I’ll be back to tuck you in.”

This kind of narration has flowed right into my work with babies. Just the other night, I was with a client’s baby, changing her diaper before bed, and I found myself saying:

“Okay, now we’re putting on a new diaper so you’re all clean. Next, we’ll get your pajamas on, then you’ll have milk with your mommy, get cozy, and it’ll be time for sleep.”

It hit me in that moment: my time with my son has rewired my brain. I naturally look for opportunities to explain, to describe, to connect.

What once felt awkward now feels instinctive—and it’s something I can model for the families I work with.

Parenthood has a funny way of teaching you things you didn’t realize you were learning.

So if you’re expecting, maybe spend some time around your friends’ or siblings’ toddlers. They’ll give you plenty of conversational practice—and your baby will love the sound of all that lively chatter.

And if talking to your baby feels strange at first, don’t worry. You’ll get more comfortable with it. One day, that tiny baby will be a curious toddler, chatting your ear off, and you’ll get to hear all about what’s going on in their wonderful little mind.