Otis is nearly four weeks old and I feel like I need a refresher... it's too easy to forget or get distracted by the busyness of everyday life. 

My key points for talking to a newborn:

Do                          

• speak to your child from the start, slowly and calmly
• use good grammar and clear pronunciation
• look into the child's eyes when speaking
• let the child see you speak, speak face to face
• expose the child to adult (and sibling) language and conversation
• recognise that tone conveys a message and emotion to a child
• talk about what you are doing, name body parts and household items
• talk to the child about what you are about to do (before you do it) as in "I am going to pick you up"
• associate voice with pleasure as with singing, humming
• recognise the newborn's points of reference include a mother's voice and will therefore give the child security and comfort (and can be used to calm a child) 
• read to your newborn         
• remember the importance of a positive atmosphere and that positive language contributes to the positive atmosphere of the home environment

Don't

• use baby talk
• raise your voice
• use oversimplified language
• use artificially high pitched voice (commonly used by adults when talking to infants)
• use music or television as background noise

Also

• listen (truly listen) to music together
• enjoy silence together

When the child is older

• engage the child in conversation, imitate the sound the child makes back to the child
• ask the child questions and give the child choice whenever possible.