Direct face-to-face communication with babies important for parents finds new Graco research

April 20, 2010 Chopsy Baby

Being able to have direct face-to-face communication with their baby is vitally important, say parents in brand new research released today.

Parents are often frustrated when their efforts to interact with their child are hampered by pushchairs forcing their child to face away from them, even causing a reduction in speech development.

Now the new research by Graco, reveals that 95 per cent of parents would like to be able to quickly change the orientation of their child’s pushchair to suit their immediate needs.

“Independent studies have repeatedly shown that infant development is best achieved when parents are emotionally available and able to respond to the child’s demands for attention and comfort,” Child psychologist Emma Kenny says.

“It’s therefore surprising that over the last few decades, pushchairs in the UK have undergone a change in design, so that most pushchairs now face forward (ie. away from the parent), in contrast to the design in earlier decades, where pushchairs faced backwards toward the parent.”

Taking notice of new parental needs when it comes to making pushchair choices, Graco have developed a new travel system for parents to be able to instantly put their baby in either forward facing or away facing positions.

This leaves the new Graco Symbio in the one per cent of pushchairs on the market able to do this.

“Parents understand the need to create a rounded environment for their child, so the fact that 19 out of 20 mothers would be interested in the option to alter the orientation as they see fit, suggests a new shift in perceptions of what is important when buying a pushchair. It’s great to see that some manufacturers are starting to take notice,” Emma continues.

To get communicating and keep your baby and bump happy, Emma has some tips to get started:

For babies:

1. Face-to face Interaction
Babies are born sociable so bring your face close to his and give him that all important eye contact. Remember to smile lots – if they see that you are happy, they will be happy.

2. Baby Talk
Talk to your baby to reinforce your bond and help him to develop conversation and language skills while increasing his self-confidence.

3. Touch
Through touch you are encouraging your baby’s emotional development to grow and improving sensory awareness while making them feel secure and special.

4. Body Language
Clapping and hand gestures are part of communicating and will help baby to visualise and remember things.

5. Outdoor Time
Being outdoors is peaceful and enjoyable for both you and baby. They will love looking around them and exploring and you will love watching their confidence grow and grow.

For your developing baby bump:

1. Touch
When your baby reaches 20 weeks he will start to feel and respond to you touching your bump, he will even be able to identify his parents touch over a strangers, starting the parent-child bond at this early stage.

2. Talking
When baby reaches 25 weeks he will be able to hear sounds from outside the womb so talking and singing to your baby is a lovely method to build on your connection with him.

3. Daddy
Make sure Daddy gets to spend as much time with bump as he can as research has shown a father’s touch and voice can have as much impact as a mother’s in exciting or relaxing baby.

4. Prenatal Massage
Prenatal massage will not only relieve physical symptoms of pregnancy, but the emotional ones too. You will relax and any tension or stress will float away making a happy mummy and a happy baby.

5. Play Games
Gently tap your bump in different rhythms, he may copy you back building on the first stages of communication between you and your baby.

For more tips and advice from Emma Kenny, visit:

www.myhappybaby.info
For more information on the Graco Symbio 3-in-1 Travel System, visit: