Boob Speak by Chaka Falls My son turned one on Sunday. Many people will tell you that he has not mastered language, yet. I disagree. Sure, he mumbles the “ma” and “da” of the “normal” one-year-old. But, believe me when I tell you that my son CAN speak. We hold conversations quite regularly. One of our typical conversation pieces is food. No, my 12-month-old does not have a favorite solid, yet. He rarely tastes anything offered upon a fork or spoon. However, he loves his milkies. (breastmilk to you) And, he often regales me with the tales of days spent tussling with older siblings while cuddling up to a warm, full booby. I delight in these tales. They are conveyed with a laid-back earnest that is engaging. As he lies cradled in my arms, he converses in the warbled tongue I have come to call “boob speak”. “Boob speak” is really a very simple language. All that is required to speak it is a determination to communicate and a mouth full of nipple. My son talks around the nursing. He suckles, chats a little, suckles a bit more, informs me of something he deems worthy of note. He smiles, laughs, giggles…all with a mouth full of boob. His stories are sometimes revolting, and I reply, “Esaias! I can’t believe you said that!” in the squeaky voice of disbelief and awe. Comments such as that are often met with squeals of delight. After all, there’s hardly anything more exhilarating for a boy than grossing out Mom. I don’t know that there is anything much better in this life than seeing your baby’s eyes light up from the excitement that comes with being understood. When he smiles and laughs (around the nipple), I light up, as well. It is comforting to know that my one-year-old delights in telling me tales, and I’m sure he’s just as comforted by the fact that I seem to understand it all. After all, even babies like to feel understood. All of my children have been fluent in “boob speak” for a period in their lives; some longer than others. I believe encouraging and responding to their little language has helped them feel understood and respected. I always pretend to understand what they’re saying. Even when, as pre-schoolers, they garble on and on about what turns out to be a desire for something they’re not allowed to have. (“Mommy! Weren’t you listening when I said I wanted _______?” “Yes, but I had forgotten that you couldn’t have _______, because ________. We’ll have to wait until you get a little older, okay?”) Do all breastfed babies speak “boob speak”? I believe so. The true question is: do their mothers? © got-breastmilk.org 2003