Baby talk is good for baby: a new Japanese study suggests that the brains of babies respond to it even when they're sleeping:
Two sensors were placed on either side of the babies' forehead to measure the oxygenation of the blood going to the frontal area of the brain. The device used to test the babies' brains is called near-infrared spectroscopy.
Once a newborn was sleeping, the mothers were directed to read a scene from Little Red Riding Hood in Japanese to either their baby (in baby talk) or to an adult. As the mothers read the passage, the researchers recorded their voices. The recordings were then played for the babies, and their brain oxygenation was recorded.
The babies responded more to the baby talk versions.
I recall reading a study a few years ago that found differences between the baby talk that humans use with actual babies and with pets. As I remember the details, with actual babies, we subconsciously adjust the length of syllables to help them learn; Fluffy doesn't need that kind of teaching.
Baby Talk: Silly Sounds That Carry Real Impact [HealthDay]
