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Bilingual babies: The roots of bilingualism in newborns

Published: Tuesday, February 16, 2010 - 14:30 in Psychology & Sociology

It may not be obvious, but hearing two languages regularly during pregnancy puts infants on the road to bilingualism by birth. According to new findings in Psychological Science, a journal of the Association for Psychological Science, infants born to bilingual mothers (who spoke both languages regularly during pregnancy) exhibit different language preferences than infants born to mothers speaking only one language. Psychological scientists Krista Byers-Heinlein and Janet F. Werker from the University of British Columbia along with Tracey Burns of the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development in France wanted to investigate language preference and discrimination in newborns. Two groups of newborns were tested in these experiments: English monolinguals (whose mothers spoke only English during pregnancy) and Tagalog-English bilinguals (whose mothers spoke both Tagalog, a language spoken in the Philippines, and English regularly during pregnancy). The researchers employed a method known as "high-amplitude sucking-preference procedure" to study the infants' language preferences. This method capitalizes on the newborns' sucking reflex — increased sucking indicates interest in a stimulus. In the first experiment, infants heard 10 minutes of speech, with every minute alternating between English and Tagalog.

Results showed that English monolingual infants were more interested in English than Tagalog — they exhibited increased sucking behavior when they heard English than when they heard Tagalog being spoken. However, bilingual infants had an equal preference for both English and Tagalog. These results suggest that prenatal bilingual exposure may affect infants' language preferences, preparing bilingual infants to listen to and learn about both of their native languages.

To learn two languages, bilingual newborns must also be able to keep their languages apart. To test if bilingual infants are able to discriminate between their two languages, infants listened to sentences being spoken in one of the languages until they lost interest. Then, they either heard sentences in the other language or heard sentences in the same language, but spoken by a different person. Infants exhibited increased sucking when they heard the other language being spoken. Their sucking did not increase if they heard additional sentences in the same language. These results suggest that bilingual infants, along with monolingual infants, are able to discriminate between the two languages, providing a mechanism from the first moments of life that helps ensure bilingual infants do not confuse their two languages.

The researchers observe that, "Monolingual newborns' preference for their single native language directs listening attention to that language" and that, "Bilingual newborns' interest in both languages helps ensure attention to, and hence further learning about, each of their languages." Discrimination of the two languages helps prevent confusion. The results of these studies demonstrate that the roots of bilingualism run deeper than previously imagined, extending even to the prenatal period.

teething pain

I realize that even though this might be distressing for me to see our baby experiencing discomfort, it is probably more for him.

I want to know more in this issue especially since I am a first time mother.

Reading this through to learn more at just how to take care of our baby during this disturbing TEETHING time.

Teething Pain in Infants 0-24 Months

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Relieving Your Child's Teething Pain

It's downright sad that something that is a natural part of your baby's growth has to be so painful for them. Changes in your baby's behaviour can cause you to become stressed and frustrated. But you also likely have everything you need to make your baby feel better.

Tips for Relief of Your Child's Teething Pain

Just when your baby adapts to a sleeping and eating schedule, teething pain can throw it out the window. With these tips, you can help your baby find relief so that neither of you feel like you're at square one again.

 

Tips for Relief of Your Child's Teething Pain

The first sign of primary (or baby) teeth usually brings a change in your baby's behaviour. A lot of that change has to do with pain. That's understandable because the pain can affect their eating and sleeping — not to mention your own.

Recommended tips to relieve your baby's teething pain

To give your baby the relief they're crying for, try these tips:

·         Gently rub a clean finger over your baby's gums — to temporarily numb the pain. [fromhttp://www.babycenter.ca/baby/sleep/teething&sleeppatterns/]

·         Use your parenting magic — distract your baby from teething pain by rocking, singing, cuddling or playing with them.

·         Take away your baby's pacifier (if they're using one) — your baby may chew the end of the pacifier, which could pose a choking hazard.

·         Get your baby a cold, liquid-filled teething ring or washcloth to chew on — the coolness will help numb teething pain and will also help your baby's teeth break through the surface of their gums. [fromhttp://www.babycenter.ca/baby/sleep/teething&sleeppatterns/]

·         Switch to a hard or bumpy rubber teething ring when your baby's molars have come in

·         Take precautions with teething rings — ensure your baby's teething ring is DINP free (this additive is found in soft vinyl [PVC] products and poses a potential health risk) and never tie a teething ring or pacifier around your baby's neck (the chord may get caught and pose a strangling risk).

·         Cold applesauce or yogurt can help numb pain if your baby is eating solid foods. [fromhttp://www.babycenter.ca/baby/sleep/teething&sleeppatterns/]

·         Use an over-the-counter (OTC) pain relieving medication specially formulated for infants — to relieve your baby's teething pain, like Infants' TYLENOL^® Drops. Do not put Infants' TYLENOL^® or any painkiller directly against your child's gums because it may burn the dental tissue.

·         Ask your pharmacist about a topical anesthetic or teething gel — these gels may help numb teething pain for about 20 minutes but should not be used before breastfeeding because your baby's tongue may be numbed to the point where they can't suck properly. [from http://www.babycenter.ca/baby/sleep/teething&sleeppatterns/]

·         Do not give your baby products containing acetylsalicylic acid (ASA)—ASA may cause a dangerous medical condition called Reye's Syndrome.

When your baby's teeth break through their gums, you should also:

·         Help prevent tooth decay by limiting the amount of sugar you allow your baby to have— that includes replacing a bottle of juice with one filled with water, and avoid giving your baby a cookie or two to chew on, especially at bedtime

·         As teeth erupt, clean them with a soft baby toothbrush and a small amount of toothpaste — breast milk that is very sweet should be cleaned from your baby's teeth

When to call the doctor about your baby's teething pain

Most children go through teething without the need to see the doctor but in some cases it may be worthwhile to arrange for a doctor's appointment:

·         If your baby's gums are bleeding — minimal bleeding may indicate an infection

·         If your baby is running a fever — since there is no proof that a fever is a normal part of teething, this too may be a sign of infection. Sometimes teething pain can be confused with ear pain at this age.

·         If the pain gets worse

·         Any time you feel unsure about any of your baby's symptoms.

You should also make an appointment with your child's doctor if your child is experiencing a toothache as a result of a thrush. Oral thrush is a condition in which the fungus "Candida albicans" accumulates on the lining of the mouth. Oral thrush causes creamy white lesions, usually on the tongue or inner cheeks. The lesions can be painful and may bleed slightly when scraped. Sometimes oral thrush may spread to the roof of the mouth, gums, tonsils or the back of the throat.

teething and fever

Baby Joram has been having intermittent low grade fever for more than 24 hours.
I think it has to be teething but what if I'm mistaken?

And so, I research on the net.

I read from Kidshealth.

Although teething may cause a slight rise in body temperature, it's probably not the cause if a child's temperature is higher than 100° F (37.8° C).

When Fever Is a Sign of Something Serious

In the past, doctors advised treating a fever on the basis of temperature alone. But now they recommend considering both the temperature and a child's overall condition.

Kids whose temperatures are lower than 102° F (38.9° C) often don't require medication unless they're uncomfortable. There's one important exception to this rule: If you have an infant 3 months or younger with a rectal temperature of 100.4° F (38° C) or higher, call your doctor or go to the emergency department immediately. Even a slight fever can be a sign of a potentially serious infection in very young infants.

If your child is between 3 months and 3 years old and has a fever of 102.2° F (39° C) or higher, call your doctor to see if he or she needs to see your child. For older kids, take behavior and activity level into account. Watching how your child behaves will give you a pretty good idea of whether a minor illness is the cause or if your child should be seen by a doctor.

The illness is probably not serious if your child:

• is still interested in playing
• is eating and drinking well
• is alert and smiling at you
• has a normal skin color
• looks well when his or her temperature comes down

And don't worry too much about a child with a fever who doesn't want to eat. This is very common with infections that cause fever. For kids who still drink and urinate normally, not eating as much as usual is OK.

KidsHealth - My Baby This Month

		Pregnancy & Newborns Center    Parenting Information    About KidsHealth
	Many parents feel like the baby's personality really starts to emerge at about this time. Your baby can likely recognize you and familiar caregivers by now, and is becoming incredibly social, laughing and answering sounds with babbling and cooing.   Advice for first-timers from veteran parents... "There'll be times when you're extremely tired, frustrated, and feeling helpless. Try to love your baby and pay attention to every wonderful thing about him/her. Everything else will fall into place. Honest. And you can experience each moment with your baby just once." - Meredith, mother of Robyn, age 1   Read about how your baby's learning process will begin to change. If you're breastfeeding, find out how you can get relief for some common feeding discomforts, and get the basics on starting solids and milk. Your Child's Checkup: 4 Months Find out what to expect when you take your newborn to the doctor this month, and what signs the doctor will check to make sure your baby is healthy and developing well. You can print this sheet to take with you to the appointment!   Learning, Play, and Your 4- to 7-Month-Old Your baby has learned to recognize you and familiar caregivers, focus on and pay attention to things, and actively engage your attention. Your child will start to explore by reaching out for objects, grasping and inspecting them.   Breastfeeding FAQs: Pain and Discomfort Here are answers to some common questions about preventing and reducing breastfeeding discomfort, such as nipple and breast pain.   Starting Solids and Milk Find answers to common questions about introducing solids and whole milk to formula-fed babies.   How to Talk to Your Child's Doctor Building a relationship with your child's doctor requires communication and reasonable expectations.

4 months old

www.babycenter.com.ph/baby/development/04mth/

Your 4-month-old's development

Feeding less frequently 

As your baby reaches 4 months, his stomach has grown bigger so he doesn't need to feed so often -- just four or five times a day. But he'll still gain weight -- his need to feed just tapers off as he gets older, becoming more like that of older children and adults. Now his attention will start to gravitate toward other people and things during mealtimes, and though it's exciting to see him aware of and responsive to new things, feedings can get difficult. If your baby is easily distracted, try feeding him somewhere quiet for a while. 

A new talent for rolling over 

When placed on his stomach, your baby will lift his head and shoulders high, using his arms for support. This mini push-up helps him strengthen his muscles and get a better view of what's going on. He may even amaze you (and himself!) by rolling over from his back to his front, or vice versa. You can encourage this through play: wiggle a toy next to the side he customarily rolls to in case he's interested enough to try again. Applaud his efforts and smile; he may need your reassurance since new actions can be frightening. 

Time for solid foods? 

For the first four to six months of life your baby gets all the nutrients he needs from breast milk or formula milk. Still, parents are often eager to start their babies on solid foods. Talk to your doctor before trying yours on solids. You can begin feeding your baby some solids (meaning mushy foods such as pureed baby food or baby cereal) now that his digestive tract is more developed and his tongue-thrust reflex is starting to fade, but many doctors encourage parents to wait until their baby is 6 months old. Not rushing onto solids can cut down on allergic reactions and ensures that breast milk and formula won't get crowded out of your baby's diet. 

Reaching out and mouthing objects 

Your baby is now able to reach out and grab an object, even though he often misses his mark on the first try. Once he wraps his hands around something, he'll study it for a moment and then try to put it in his mouth. You may also notice a lot more dribbling now. Some babies can start teething as early as 4 months old, but the first tooth usually doesn't surface until five to six months. 

Encourage your baby to explore and play with a variety of objects. For instance, a clean cloth diaper will occupy your baby for a few minutes. Watch him suck on it, hold it, and discover what happens when he scrunches it up. Give him a light rattle and watch him delight in the sound it makes when he shakes it. An activity center or cradle gym is a good choice for this stage, as your baby begins to discover the cause and effect of moving a lever and hearing a bell ring, for instance. 

Able to play alone now 

By now, your baby can play with his hands and feet for a few minutes at a time. A miracle! Suddenly you realize it's strangely quiet in the bedroom so you look in, only to discover that your baby, who so far has needed your attention for most of every waking moment, is amusing himself. Now maybe you can start reading the paper again. 

Beginning to understand the role of language 

Researchers believe that by 4 months your baby understands all the basic sounds that make up his native language. Between 4 and 6 months, he develops the ability to make some vocal sounds, such as "ma-ma" or "da-da." He doesn't yet connect that sound with a parent, though. By now, he's also able to participate in back-and-forth imitation games -- you say "boo," and he'll try to say it back. You can promote your child's sense of communication through imitating his faces and sounds -- "mirroring" him. Because you react when he makes noises and tries to say something, your baby learns the importance of language and starts to understand cause and effect. He'll begin to realize that what he says makes a difference. 

Appreciation for a full range of colors 

Babies see color from birth, but they have difficulty distinguishing similar tones such as red and orange. As a result they often prefer black and white or high-contrast colors. Between your baby's second and fourth months, color differences become clearer, and your baby starts to distinguish similar shades. Your baby will probably begin to show a preference for bright primary colors now. Some great eye-catchers include primary-colored mobiles (hung out of his reach), bright posters and visually strikingboard books. 

Getting more selective about people 

By 4 months, your baby may respond to your presence, your voice and even your facial expressions by kicking and waving his arms. 
About now, your child, who to this point probably bestowed smiles on everyone he met, is beginning to be choosy about the company he keeps. In large groups or with unfamiliar people he may need time to get comfortable. Allow for transition time with strangers or when leaving your baby with a babysitter. You may also notice that when he's safely in your arms he's interested in interacting with other people -- especially noisy, boisterous older children. 

Is my baby developing normally? 

Remember, each baby is unique and meets social milestones at his own pace. These are simply guidelines to what your baby has the potential to accomplish -- if not right now, then shortly. 

And if your baby was born prematurely, you'll probably find that he'll need time before he can do the same things as other children his age. Don't worry. Most doctors assess a premature child's development from the time he should have been born and evaluate his skills accordingly. 

If you have any questions at all about your baby's development, check with your doctor.