The Importance of Eye Contact and Conversation During Feeding
Feeding is a Critical Bonding Moment For Infants
Feeding your baby…whether through breastfeeding, bottle-feeding or solid foods…is more than just a time to nourish their body. It’s an intimate opportunity to nourish their mind and strengthen your emotional bond. During these moments, your baby is not only drinking milk but also soaking up valuable cues from your face, voice, and energy.
Right-Brain Activation: Feeding Time Is Brain Development Time
Babies learn so much during feeding times so being attentive is critical
During feeding sessions, your baby’s right brain—the center of emotions, non-verbal communication, and social connection—is especially active. This is when babies are most attuned to your face, voice, and touch. They are naturally wired to look into your eyes and watch your mouth as you form words, absorbing your expressions and tone. These interactions help them feel safe, understood, and connected, laying the foundation for emotional security and future communication skills.
Their Eyes on You
Babies are incredibly observant, even in their earliest days. As they watch your eyes and mouth during feeding, they’re learning how to communicate. Your facial expressions, whether it’s a soft smile or gentle eye contact, teach them about human connection and interaction. This is a special time when they are fully focused on you, and in return, they need your full focus on them.
The Power of Words
Speaking to your baby during feeding, whether you're sharing how your day is going, humming softly, or simply whispering how much you love them, helps develop their language skills. Your baby listens intently to the rhythm of your speech and the movement of your mouth, which are critical building blocks for language development. Even though they can’t respond verbally just yet, they are absorbing everything.
Resist the Urge to Check Your Phone
Designate an area where electronics can be during caregiving activities when your baby is awake
It can be tempting to pick up your phone during a feeding session. After all, feeding time can feel repetitive, and you might crave a quick scroll through social media or an update on the news. But this quiet, focused time with your baby is irreplaceable. Being fully present during feedings fosters a deep connection that supports your baby’s emotional and brain development. Instead, save that phone time for later in the day when your baby is napping or playing, and you have a moment to yourself.
Make Feeding Time Sacred
By making the choice to engage fully with your baby during these feeding moments, you are not only meeting their physical needs but also providing crucial emotional nourishment. In this fast-paced, tech-filled world, these quiet moments of bonding, eye contact, and gentle conversation offer a calm, loving space for your baby to feel secure and connected.
So next time you're feeding your baby, take a deep breath, put the phone aside, and savor these precious moments of connection. The benefits for both of you will last a lifetime.
BabySpace Coachella Valley
The playroom at BabySpace Coachella Valley.
Becoming a parent is a profound and life-altering experience, but it comes with its fair share of unspoken challenges. Meeting with other parents and exploring together what you are envisioning life could look like with your infant and toddler is an invaluable piece of new parenthood. By sharing experiences with others in a place like a BabySpace Coachella Valley Mommy and Me group, parents can find solace in the shared journey of raising the next generation, embracing both the joys and the trials that come with it.
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