Drawing © Flavie Brosse

Talking and singing to your baby is good for him

A podcast from the Neonatology department

Early vocal contact encourages parents to talk and sing to their baby in a close context such as skin-to-skin and is part of a child- and family-centered care strategy. Studies have shown that the fetus and then the newborn recognize the maternal voice and that the parental voice is modulated according to the baby's reactions, allowing true reciprocity between the two beings.

Early vocal contact allows for better physiological stability and better weight gain. It reduces pain during painful care and promotes the establishment of the parent-child bond.

So, don’t hesitate to talk or sing to your baby! To find out more, you can listen to the following podcasts, developed by the team from the Neonatology department of Caen University Hospital.

In order to promote early vocal contact, the neonatology department will offer newborns hospitalized in intensive care or neonatal intensive care for a prolonged period of time a book so that parents can read a story to their baby. Libraries will be set up so that parents have books available to easily continue reading time with their baby.

1	Episode 1 The benefits of talking and/or singing to your baby(s) in the neonatal department
2	Episode 2 How to read and which books to read to your baby(s)
3	Episode 3 How to continue reading to your baby(s) at home