My Interview With Motherly: “How Mealtimes Help Babies and Toddlers Learn to Communicate”
I loved chatting with the Motherly team about how everyday mealtime moments can support babies’ and toddlers’ language development! 🍎
We talked about why these moments matter so much, how parents can layer communication naturally into feeding routines, and how to make mealtimes less stressful and more connected.
Excerpt:
“Mealtime routines are opportunities to build attachment, social-emotional development, and communication.”
From the earliest days, babies communicate during feeding—through rooting, turning their heads away, reaching, or fussing. Each signal is a message, and every time a parent responds, a child learns: My communication matters.
Stephanie Cohen, M.A., CCC-SLP, explains,
“This is like a language-rich dance that happens every single day. Children who learn that their communication matters are motivated to communicate more with the caregivers they love.”
Even before babies can speak, parents can use language and gestures to help them express themselves. Signs like “more,” “all done,” “help,” and “eat” give children the power to share what they need—reducing frustration and building trust at the table.
“When children feel understood, frustration drops dramatically. Parents aren’t guessing what their child needs, and children aren’t melting down because they can’t communicate. It feels SO good for a child when their grown-up understands and responds.”
Stephanie also shared practical tips to turn ordinary mealtimes into meaningful communication opportunities: narrating simple actions (“I’m cutting your apple”), bringing books to the table, offering choices, and modeling key word signs during feeding.
“You don’t have to make mealtime a ‘lesson.’ Just eat together, be present, and connect. That’s enough.”
