Replying to a message, scrolling through social media or looking something up – for many parents, the smartphone is a natural part of everyday life. At the same time, many ask themselves: Is my baby getting too little attention as a result? The important thing to remember is that it’s not about perfection, but about conscious use.
In the first few months of life, your baby learns primarily through interaction with you. Eye contact, voice, facial expressions and your reactions help him to understand the world and feel safe. When you respond to your baby’s signals, it experiences: “I am seen and understood.” This happens in many small everyday moments when feeding, changing, carrying or playing. Babies do not need constant entertainment. Short moments of shared attention are often enough.
If you frequently look at your smartphone, shared moments can be interrupted:
This usually happens unconsciously. Babies cannot yet understand why the shared moment suddenly ends. When adults look at their smartphones, their facial expressions and reactions are often less attentive and attuned. Frequent interruptions can unsettle babies, especially if they occur regularly.
The smartphone does not have to disappear completely from everyday family life. Short periods of cell phone use are normal and generally unproblematic. Especially with a baby, many parents use their smartphone to keep in touch with other adults, search for information or switch off briefly. Stressful days, distractions and interruptions are also part of everyday life with children. Parents don’t have to be constantly available or attentive. It is crucial that there are always conscious moments of closeness and attention.
Even babies experience the place that smartphones and other media play in everyday family life. When screens are constantly present, this quickly becomes the norm. This makes it all the more important to consciously organize times together without media.
If you notice that your smartphone often distracts you or that you feel less connected in everyday life, small changes can help. Fixed moments without a smartphone are often enough to experience time together more consciously.
Can’t find an answer to your question? Ask your personal questions about your child’s media use directly and conveniently using the messenger service via WhatsApp or Threema. You can find more information here.
