Myth
You can spoil a baby by picking them up too much.
Fact
Babies need lots of daily nursing and contact to help them feel secure. Lots of skin to skin contact helps your babies brain growth. Baby massage is ideal.
Myth
There is no point talking to my baby – he can’t talk back
yet.
Fact
Babies need lots of talking to before and after birth everyday. This
prepares them to learn how to listen and speak and to get to know
you.
Myth
There’s no point in reading to my toddler – he can’t
talk or read.
Fact
Lots of daily talking and reading will help your child become familiar
with words and language. You cant start to soon even babies will love listening to the sound of your voice.
Studies have shown that babies and young children who are read to regularly become better readers themselves.
Myth
Using an orthodontic dummy is OK; it won’t affect my baby’s
speech and language development.
Fact
All dummies, especially cherry teats may affect the development of
speech and language if used for long periods in the day. If you use
a dummy try to stop using it by the age of one. Download our dummy factsheet for more information.
Myth
My child is two and is not talking. I’m not worried; none of
my other children did either.
Fact
Most toddlers should say their first words at about 12 months of age.
Encourage your child to copy sounds and words and spend lots of time talking and playing.
If your child uses a dummy for long periods of time try to reduce its use, or stop using it if more than one year old.
Myth
My child watches TV all the time and this will help them to learn.
Fact
Some carefully chosen children’s programmes have been designed
to encourage your child’s daily learning. However, studies have
shown that your child learns far quicker by being taught face-to-face.
Have TV times but not all the time and make sure you choose your child’s
programmes carefully.
Crying is good for baby, it helps create their lungs.
