Baby talk may be used as a form of flirtation between sexual or romantic partners.
“Baby talk signals closeness, is a method of 'mirroring' to evoke positive emotions, and fosters secure attachment with one another,” says Dr. Hall. “It indicates a desire to nurture your partner and the bond between you two.”
The 'sexy baby voice' typically involves raising the pitch of your vocals, as well as engaging in upspeak, where sentences end with a rising-pitch intonation. According to a 2013 study, men prefer women with higher-pitched voices because it signals that the woman has a small body size (sigh).
Part of why baby talk creates intimacy is that it might mirror the way you were spoken to when you first arrived in this world. The first people you bonded to on this planet may have been your parents or another adult, like a grandparent or guardian.
However research reveals that partners who baby talk are more securely attached to each other and less avoidant than couples who refrain from it. "It's like a post-sex ritual for my girlfriend and I to use a baby voice – it's when both of us are at our most vulnerable.
Around two-thirds of all couples say they use baby talk. Whether it's using cutesy pet names, a high-pitched voice or a full-on adoption of words like “wuv” and “wittle,” baby talk is a common occurrence in adult relationships.
The real purpose (and benefit) of baby talk is to bolster the social interaction between parent and child. Shifting our style of speech forces us to pay more attention to what we say and, therefore, to the person we're talking to. The topic and details of the conversation don't matter much.
Although listening to baby talk can be annoying, it's likely to just be a phase. With a few simple interventions, you can curb the bad habit before it gets out of control. Usually, it resolves relatively quickly with appropriate intervention.
Is Baby Talk Bad? A new study shows that true baby talk, made up of proper adult speech at a different cadence, is better for a baby's development than the regular baby babble we're used to. Researchers say it's better to talk to babies using proper grammar and real words at a higher pitch and a slower speed.
You'll know that she loves you if she prioritizes you, chooses you first, sees you as the prize, displays affection for you, and respects you. You'll feel the chemistry. It'll feel like energy pulling her toward you. The relationship will feel magnetic and natural.
Men are more attracted to women with higher-pitched and breathy voices, as these seem to indicate smaller body size, a study published in Plos One suggests.
It's even more possible that he's building you up for a scam. Experts who investigate countless fraudsters on online dating sites, say the calling of someone “babe” and “my darling” are typical red flags. It's an easy way for scammers to juggle dozens of “friends” at the same time, without having to remember names.
Parents can use baby talk when going about everyday activities, saying things like, “Where are your shoooes?,” “Let's change your diiiiaper,” and “Oh, this tastes goooood!,” emphasizing important words and speaking slowly using a happy tone of voice.
While the experts agree that there's no “right time” to stop using baby talk with your child, Karp says it is important to adapt your kid-speak as they age, and especially when emotions are running high.
Used in virtually all of the world's languages, parentese is a speaking style that draws baby's attention. Parents adopt its simple grammar and words, plus its exaggerated sounds, almost without thinking about it.
The answer is a resounding YES! Studies show that children who were exposed to more infant-directed speech, aka baby-talk or “parentese,” at age 1 tend to have a larger vocabulary at age 2 than children who were exposed to less.
Now, every couple ends up taking their own spin on this conversation, but the general rule of thumb here is that you are regularly (about once per week) having a discussion about the health of your relationship.
When couples use language to show care, affection, and reassurance, it deepens their love for each other. For example, hearing someone call you “handsome,” “beautiful,” “baby” without judgment increases your affection for your partner.
It depends on the couple
People communicate in different ways, and that is okay. The more important thing is that both partners are compatible when it comes to communication style. Some people are fine talking once a day, and others like to speak with their partner multiple times a day.
Making nonsense words and adopting fake terms for things (e.g., sip-sip for a cup and the act of drinking) can hinder language development and even slow down your baby's learning.