Reading baby body language

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They might not use words to say what they want, but babies certainly have their own way of telling you what’s going on.

As newborns, they cry – and cry and cry. You get to know the different kinds of crying. A couple of months in, there’s the adorable smiling. From about five months, babies might start to chatter and babble. 

On top of all this, babies also speak with their bodies.

Learning your baby’s body language

Learning your baby’s body language is about getting to know your baby. Of course you’ll be spending lots of time holding your baby as you perform all the practical tasks of care. But the key to understanding is really watching everything your baby does.

Look at all the parts of your baby’s body. Look at the way her feet kick, hands clasp and expressions move across her face. Watch how your baby moves her limbs to see which things cause distress or startle her – sun in her eyes, the cat running past or a loud noise from the street. You will also see what calms and reassures her.

Babies as young as eight weeks old can tell the difference between people. They will have different physical responses to different people, depending on their relationship with the baby.

Watch how your baby responds to your communication and touch, and learn what comforts him. As your baby grows and begins to smile, return smiles as much as possible. 

Learn to recognise your baby’s various states of consciousness – wide awake and alert, crying, fussy, different sleep stages. Eventually you will become familiar with these and able to predict your baby’s patterns.

You’ll also learn to understand what your baby is saying to you. The way you respond to your baby – whether you put her to sleep when she’s looking overtired or feed her when she’s hungry – can help settle her into a routine. It is easier to build a routine if you do things in the same way most days.

Alert babies are more interested in communicating. Talk to your baby quietly and rhythmically and use lots of facial expressions. After all, your baby is reading your face too. Your baby can watch what you’re doing and slowly get used to the idea that he can communicate with you, and you with him.

Learn to tell when your baby is tired. Watch for droopy eyelids and slow blinking, stiff and jerky movements, whining and irritability (younger babies) and being wound-up, crankiness or moodiness, eye rubbing and clinginess (older babies). 

Before your baby learns to talk, she will start experimenting with sounds – anything that can get a response! This includes sneezing, coughing, gagging and squealing. Later, vowel sounds begin. These noises are attempts to engage your attention. The way you respond, however silly, will help your baby learn to communicate.

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