I don't think we've talked about this before..

BoogieMonster629

Baby talk.  It annoys the crap out of me.  Why do people find it necessary to change the tone of their voice to talk to a baby?  Am I missing something?  Do babies only understand high pitched voices?  And really, you don't have to replace letters with "w's", you sound stupid.  It's even more annoying when people are talking baby talk to my belly!  The baby isn't even here yet and you are acting like a fool, cut it out!  I'm pretty sure you can talk to a baby without sounding like a fool.

Does anyone else find it annoying or is it just me??

MuseumMaven

Annoying!  Also bad for the baby's speech development.  If he/she hears the wrong thing, he/she will learn the wrong thing!

txaggie2002

I find it kind of annoying too.  However, suprisingly there is a reason for it.  I took a Developmental Music Psychology class (don't ask) in college and we talked all about this.  It's called "motherese" and infants seem to prefer that kind of talk over regular adult talk.  Why I remember weird stuff like this is beyond me.

Jay_Cee

It's not just you. But I can handle the squeaky voices much better than I can handle this: "Where's my wittle, witty, bitty baby? I wuv you, cutey wutey!"

damabo80

Eh, I don't mind the high pitched talk...I find myself doing it to my cat.

But I'm 110% with you on not butchering the English language by turning Ls and Rs to Ws. Not cool. There's no point, and it sends confusing messages about the right/wrong way to pronounce words to the kid. Same thing with referring to the kid in the third person while talking to him. "Is Johnny going to eat his veggies, or will mommy not let Johnny have any dessert?"

My kid is gunna be edumicated and lern to talk wright!

hcdekarske

It's super, SUPER annoying. 

I have acutally heard that it has a negative impact on babies...i.e. they are listening to you to learn to talk, and instead of hearing real words they hear stupid sh!t. 

There is nothing wrong with a soft, soothing tone...but talking like you have a speech problem or are just plain dumb is just, well, dumb! 

 

Mrs.Leah.Maria

MuseumMaven:

Annoying!  Also bad for the baby's speech development.  If he/she hears the wrong thing, he/she will learn the wrong thing!

ITA. 

DS is really developed socially and our Ped's always comment on the fact that DH and I speak like adults to DS. Obviously we still coddle him, but we've made a point to speak normally and never started the baby talk.

*I'm done patting myself on the back now.*

Aubs13

The high-pitched, sing-songy voice is called motherese (actually, now to be politically correct its called parentese...whatever) is calming to the baby.  It also typically uses a slower pace of speech, helping with processing of a spoken message, since little ones need a lot longer to process. 

But, I'm with you 100% on changing letters when using motherese!  That is not the point of it, nor is it recommended!  You should model speech you want your child to use eventually, as it serves as a foundation very early on.  I can't stand to hear people say, "But dat's how you talkie to da waby". 

e_uecker

I hate baby talk. Especially when they are no longer babies. Kids need to hear the words how they are supposed to sound so they can learn to talk. DH's family talks to his niece like that and it bugs the crap out of me.

Stormy101

Jay_Cee:

It's not just you. But I can handle the squeaky voices much better than I can handle this: "Where's my wittle, witty, bitty baby? I wuv you, cutey wutey!"

This, but not only to babies. I want to stab my ear holes when I hear adults talking like this to other adults. WTF.

BoogieMonster629

Stormy101:

Jay_Cee:

It's not just you. But I can handle the squeaky voices much better than I can handle this: "Where's my wittle, witty, bitty baby? I wuv you, cutey wutey!"

This, but not only to babies. I want to stab my ear holes when I hear adults talking like this to other adults. WTF.

gah! yes! My mother sometimes calls my husband Maffu.. wtf?? his name is Matthew!! I want to shoot her everytime.

KRISLIEL

Stormy101:

Jay_Cee:

It's not just you. But I can handle the squeaky voices much better than I can handle this: "Where's my wittle, witty, bitty baby? I wuv you, cutey wutey!"

This, but not only to babies. I want to stab my ear holes when I hear adults talking like this to other adults. WTF.

Oh THIS exactly! My best friend and her bf talk to one another in baby talk ALL. THE. TIME. Drives me NUTS! Its always "i wuvv you babies" and "whatchuuu doiiiiinnnn babies?" BAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHH

Abbney

damabo80:

My kid is gunna be edumicated and lern to talk wright!

Uhhh its learned...if your gunna be butcherin...then butcher it write!!!

skimball09

I have actually studied attachment and how communication increases attachment.  The truth is is that babies respond better to "baby talk" than regular speech.  Of course it doesn't have to be ridiculously high pitched, but more of that sweet soft rhythmic talking.  I know some people said something about causing problems with a child's speech but you won't baby talk your child forever and as long as you are using words correctly baby talk won't inhibit their language development.

KleanFreak

Stormy101:

Jay_Cee:

It's not just you. But I can handle the squeaky voices much better than I can handle this: "Where's my wittle, witty, bitty baby? I wuv you, cutey wutey!"

This, but not only to babies. I want to stab my ear holes when I hear adults talking like this to other adults. WTF.

I agree with this all the way. At least with a baby there is an excuse...but I can't stand when grown women talk to their SOs this way. Ew! Disturbing.

 

And while we are on the subject...has anyone noticed the "Hot topics" at the bottom the page? The "Vent: Co-irker talks in baby talk" has been there since I joined TB. Is it really still a hot topic?

Kitten80

the changing letters isn't helpful (and is how my BF and her H talk ALL the time -him in particular - to each other).  However, studies show infants of all languages actually do attend better and get more out of that "motherese" pitch of voice and simplified language later as they are learning to foloow directions.   However, I would not talk like that to my own belly, much less someone elses.