Baby Sign Language: Enhancing Communication Skills in Infants
During the early stages of development, babies often acquire fine motor control of their hands before they learn to communicate verbally. Surprisingly, babies as young as six to nine months old can begin to learn sign language, even before they can speak fluently. The introduction of sign language to babies can greatly contribute to the development of their language skills, facilitate communication for those with developmental delays, and minimize frustrating communication barriers. Parents have the option to teach their babies the sign language commonly used in their country or opt for simplified baby signs, which are widely recognized across various cultures and nations.
Chestfeeding: Inclusive Language for Transgender Parents
Recent studies have shown that 19% of transgender individuals in the United States are parents. To promote inclusivity and respect for all parents, many parenting organizations and healthcare providers have embraced the term “chestfeeding.” This term describes the process of feeding a baby with milk produced by one’s body, regardless of gender identity. Other related terms, such as parent’s milk and pregnant people, are also used to ensure that language does not assume the person who gave birth to or is feeding a child identifies as a woman or as a “mother.” It is important to note that while these terms are becoming more widely used, an individual mother may still refer to feeding her child as breastfeeding.