Your baby is doing science.
Every time your baby drops a spoon off the highchair tray for the tenth time, you might wonder: is this just mischief? It's not. That's your baby doing science.
From the very first weeks of life — actually, from before birth — your baby's brain is growing at an extraordinary rate. Every experience, every face, every new flavour is helping build the foundations for everything they'll ever learn. Here's how it all works.
It starts before birth
Your baby's brain begins developing in the very first weeks of pregnancy. By the time they arrive, it's already been hard at work. Babies recognise their mother's voice from the womb, and can respond to familiar sounds and melodies they've heard repeatedly. That calm you feel when you hum the same song every evening? Your baby is listening — and remembering.
Learning by doing
After birth, almost everything is a learning moment. Your baby is a natural explorer, driven by curiosity. Dropping that spoon, pulling off a sock, splashing water out of the bath — each repetitive action is your baby testing cause and effect. What happens when I do this? And this? And this again?
Give them a safe space to experiment, and try to resist the urge to stop every little adventure. The mess is worth it.
Learning through the senses
Touch, taste, smell, sight, sound. Your baby processes the world through all five senses at once, which is why everything tends to end up in their mouth.
This is also why introducing new textures and flavours early on — whether through milk feeds or first foods — is so valuable. Each new taste is a small adventure for their developing brain. My Organic Formula's range is designed with this in mind, using gentle, natural ingredients that feel familiar from the very first feed.
Learning through repetition
Your baby finds comfort and understanding in routines. The same words at nappy time, the same song before sleep, the same order at mealtimes — these patterns help their brain build a map of the world. When they know what's coming, they feel safe. And a baby who feels safe is a baby who's ready to learn.
Learning by watching you
You are your baby's greatest teacher, and they are paying close attention. They'll copy your expressions, your gestures, the way you eat, the way you laugh. This imitation isn't just endearing — it's one of the most powerful learning tools they have.
Eat together when you can. Let them watch you. Let them try. Even if it ends with purée in your hair.
Learning through play
Play is serious business for a baby. Whether they're shaking a rattle, stacking cups, or simply gazing at a mobile above their cot, play is how babies make sense of everything around them. You don't need elaborate toys or activities — everyday moments are full of learning opportunities.
Bath time, nappy changes, a walk in the pram. All of it counts.
What does this mean for you?
The most important thing you can do for your baby's developing brain isn't complicated. It's being present. Talking to them, responding to their cues, letting them explore at their own pace.
The right nutrition
Good nutrition plays its part too. A well-nourished baby has the energy and focus to take in everything the world has to offer. Whether you're breastfeeding, formula feeding, or a combination of both, making sure your baby gets the right nutrients at every stage sets the foundation for all that brilliant learning ahead.