Chatting with your baby is admittedly a one-sided affair right now. Even though her responses to your patter are (adorably) unintelligible, don't let that discourage you! Saying her name, speaking to her (a lot), and helping her key in to the sounds around her (that's a bird chirping!) are all wonderful ways to help hasten her first real words in a few months. Try these tips for chatter that matters.
• Pop quiz: Ask lots of questions ("Should we walk to the park or the library?" "Do you think Grandma would like this birthday card with flowers on it, or this one with the birds?"). Then follow up with an answer ("Yes, I think Grandma would like these pretty birds"). Yup, you're talking to yourself, Mom, but you're also modeling the give-and-take of conversation.
• Moment of silence: While keeping up a steady stream of speech helps your baby beef up on vocabulary, she also needs time to try her own hand (or mouth, rather) at talking. When she starts yakking, pause, look at her face, and really listen as she tries to master an "mmm" or an "ahhh." She'll be delighted that you're paying such close attention.
• Play-by-play: Stumped for a topic of conversation? Just tell your baby what you (and she) are doing. "Mommy is zipping up Allie's jacket — zzzip! — to keep Allie nice and warm. Now let's put on some mittens — one, two — and a cozy hat. How about this one with the purple flowers?" Does she know what you're saying? Not yet — but she will soon!
• Surround sound: What's that noise? Point it out to your baby -- "Listen, a doggy is barking!" or "I hear a car going zoom, zoom down the street." This is great practice for the toddler and preschool years, when you'll want her to have good "listening ears" — that is, ears that both hear, and heed, your rules.
• Story time: Books are a super source of new words for a baby. Try nursery rhymes, sturdy board books, even whatever's on your own nightstand (Hey, reading to your baby may be the only chance you get to dig into a novel, so go for it!).
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