Understanding What Your Baby is Telling You

Babies start communicating to you about their needs before they can actually form meaningful words. Your baby starts communicating through various non- verbal ways. To understand what the baby is saying should be your first goal as a parent. Your bond with your baby strengthens when you can quickly interpret and respond to the cues that your baby is giving to you by way of communication.

communicating with Baby Cues

Each child has a different way of communicating. So to give a clear cut picture of what each cue says is difficult. However forming a general idea is possible. Here are a few tips on what interpretations you can make from your baby’s cues.

1. Crying

The first sound that a baby makes is of crying. Crying is a way for the baby to tell you that he or she is hungry, tired or in pain. In the initial few weeks it is difficult to really make out what the cry is for. Babies cry when they breathe in or out and are finding it difficult, too. Listen carefully to the crying of your baby.

If it is a low pitched, short cry which slowly increases in intensity, then most likely it is a cry for hunger. Responding quickly to the crying will make the crying go away. If however the cry is a sharp continuous high pitched one, then the baby might be in pain. Try to figure out if your baby is in pain or discomfort.

Wet or soiled nappy, some cloth or part of bedding poking her delicate skin or even flatulence causing her tummy to bloat. Removing the irritant will make your baby snuggle back contentedly.

2. Smiling

The first smile in a baby appears as a sign of contentment at about the age of 6- 8 weeks. Later babies may start smiling on being around loved people as a sign that she is feeling secure. Take your baby in your arms or smile back at her and tell how special she is. She might not understand the words now but she will feel good.

3. Arching Back

Babies arch their back to show discomfort or say that they have had enough of food. If the arching is not accompanied with crying or is occurring between 4-5 months then it might mean the baby is trying to turn or roll over on its own for the first time. Just change the position of your baby or stop feeding him as the case may be.

4. Cooing and Babbling

Babies are babbling and cooing all times and trying to imitate the adults around. Just respond to your baby and keep talking to her. Tell her what you are doing, tell her about your day. These will become her words for communication later on.

Photo Credit By: mumonthebrink.com

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