Why do adults use baby talk in relationships?

What does it mean if you and your partner engage in baby talk?

When is baby talk a good thing in adult relationships?

alt

Another consideration is whether baby talk aligns with the emotional needs and communication preferences ofbothpartners, says Lahiry.

Its possible that you or your partner just dislike baby talkand thats totally okay.

And if it doesnt?

Two people’s legs touch under a table as they work on their laptops.

therapist and chief clinical officer at premarital counseling platform Ours

Its important to have an open, honest conversation about avoiding it, says Dr. Fedrick.

When is baby talk considered negative or unhealthy for a couple?

A person certainly doesnt have to mimic their partners cutesy language if its not part of their communication style.

Books on grief are seen floating against a backdrop of clouds.

The timing and frequency of baby talk can also affect how its received.

Miall, David S, and Ellen Dissanayake.

The poetics of babytalk.Human nature (Hawthorne, N.Y.)vol.

alt

14,4 (2003): 337-64. doi:10.1007/s12110-003-1010-4

Coughlan, Sarah et al.

Parent-infant conversations are differentially associated with the development of preterm- and term-born infants.Journal of experimental child psychologyvol.

239 (2024): 105809. doi:10.1016/j.jecp.2023.105809

Bruess, Carol J. S., and Judy C. Pearson.

Michelle Monaghan, Carrie Coon, and Leslie Bibb in The White Lotus, symbolizing toxic friendships.

therapist and chief clinical officer at premarital counseling platform Ours

4 (1993): 609615. doi.org10.1177/0265407593104009.

Floyd, Kory, et al.

Affection Exchange Theory.Engaging Theories in Interpersonal Communication.

alt

(2021): 2738. doi.org10.4324/9781003195511-3.

3 (2005): 137158. doi.org10.1111/j.1475-6811.1996.tb00108.x.

Got it, you’ve been added to our email list.

Courtesy Berkley Publishing