How your baby's brain develops

By the time they’re born, babies already have billions of brain cells, but few are connected – a bit like a giant jigsaw! Once they’re born, their brains start to put the pieces together rapidly, creating up to a million new connections every second.

How babies’ brains develop depends on lots of different things, like their surroundings and their genetic make-up. But one of the most important influences is their relationship with the adults who care for them. That’s because the everyday interactions you have with your baby help them make connections in their brain.

For example, you can help them connect the sound of your voice with feeling safe, or the sight of your face with feeling loved, or your gentle touch with feeling soothed. You can also help them connect sounds and words like ‘mama’ and ‘dada’ with you and your partner, laying the foundation for their first words.

The connections made in your baby’s brain during their early years help them develop the skills they need as they grow up, like listening and talking, keeping calm, making friends and coping with challenges. 

This video from the Royal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood explains more about the rapid development that happens in your baby’s brain. 

The little interactions you have with your baby every day are doing so much – helping your baby’s brain grow and make connections, helping you and your wee one bond and helping them feel safe and loved.

• Pick them up when they need comfort – there’s no such thing as too much cuddling! Our page on connecting with your wee one has lots more simple tips you can slip into your daily routine.
• Chat and play every day – your voice and face are their favourite things. Our page on chatting with your baby has lots of tips to help.
• Put your phone away and turn off the TV – your baby focuses best without distractions. It's recommended that babies and infants under 2 don’t have any screen use unless on a video call with a loved one. Our page on babies and screen use has more information and advice.