Does talking to my newborn really help their development?

Yes — research confirms that the quantity and quality of language a baby hears directly impacts brain development and future language skills. Narrate your day ('Now we're putting on your socks'), respond to coos and babbles as if having a conversation, and read aloud even before your baby can understand words. Babies learn language exclusively through human interaction — screens are not an effective substitute. Discuss communication milestones at your next pediatrician visit.