10 Ways to Decode your Baby's Body Language
What does my baby want to tell me?
What does the baby actually mean when it arches its back, when it turns its head, or clenches its hands into fists?
If only it would already speak, then we would know what exactly it’s trying to say. Understandably, many parents eagerly await their child’s first words, because that makes communication a whole lot easier. But it takes time for that to happen. Therefore, it’s important that you learn to understand your child without words – it’s possible!
From the moment they are born, babies are able to express how they feel. If you watch and pay attention closely, you will probably realize what it’s trying to tell you. Because it’s not really that difficult after all, you just need a bit of practice and – of course – an attentive eye.
1: Turning Its Head Away
It's one of the easiest gestures to interpret, and certainly one you'll recognize often: Your baby turns its head away. There's not really much to interpret with this gesture, because basically we as adults would probably do the same whenever we don't like something. Baby turns its head away when it has had enough, when it doesn't want to drink anymore or when it’s done being entertained.
This simple gesture begins quite early on, and it’s well advised to respect the meaning of it. Leave your baby alone, allow for it to enjoy some downtime or a nap.
Later on, from about 6-8 months of age, this gesture will reappear when your baby is experiencing stranger anxiety. It may be afraid of someone and could be trying to avoid that person this way. What your baby needs now is a little distance from the stranger and your sheltering support.
2: Kicking Its Legs
Active babies typically kick their legs often. This helps to build muscle, and baby is playing a bit on its own. If your baby laughs while doing this, that’s really a good thing: It means it is doing fine and feeling great.
However, it can also happen that the baby isn’t laughing, but rather showing an uncomfortable facial expression or even crying. That can indicate a stomach ache or simply that it’s bored. Perhaps it’s just longing for closeness?
If baby is kicking uncoordinatedly, it could also be that it is tired.
However, kicking doesn’t necessarily always have a meaning. Babies often kick "just because".
3: Legs Pulled Up
If your baby is lying there with its little legs pulled up and showing its displeasure by crying or screaming, it is safe to assume that it is in pain - perhaps even in its tummy. An arched back can also be a signal. The best and most effective thing you can do now is to give your baby a wonderful massage so that it can really relax. Bathing or carrying it in a baby-sling could also be helpful now.
4: The Baby Lies Quietly and Relaxed With an Averted Gaze ...
... the fingers are curled inwards loosely and the hands are bent at a slight angle. Brilliant - it seems that your baby is completely satisfied right now. It's best now to just leave it alone and not try to play with it. Maybe it just needs a little downtime right now, but it’s feeling super fine at the moment.
5: The Baby Is Fidgeting, Crying, and Clenching Its Fists
This type of behavior can have several causes. What is certain is that your baby is anything but happy with itself and its environment at the moment. Something seems to be bothering it. The question is what. Maybe it's anxious, maybe it's in pain. Either way, in this case it's best to pick it up, carry it around, and have it calm down.
6: Baby Is Restless, Crying a Lot, Stiffening Up, Rubbing Eyes or Ears
Clearly, this behavior is a sign of fatigue. In fact, many babies don’t just rub their eyes when they are tired, but also their ears. Sometimes both cheeks are red and your baby is clenching its fists. The best thing to do now is to make sure it gets some rest and to give your baby a good night's sleep in a darkened room, a stroller, or a baby-sling.
7: The Baby Is Fixating You, Babbling, Squealing, Following Your Gaze ...
... it’s kicking and stretching its hands out towards you. How nice! Your baby is not only wide awake, but also in a good mood and wants to make contact with you or play something. Now is definitely the ideal time for this!
Baby Seems Restless, Turning Back and Forth and Sucking on Its Little Fists
Your baby is clearly hungry! It won’t be long now before it starts crying. There’s only one thing that will help now: to feed it!
8: Baby Is Sucking On Its Hand
Your baby appears to be hungry, right? Not necessarily. When it really is hungry, it is uneasy, whiny, and seems to be searching for a breast. If however it’s just sucking on its hand, that’s not necessarily a sign of hunger. If the last meal was not too long ago, your baby may just be sucking itself to sleep. This, so to speak, serves to calm it down. Sometimes, however, this can also mean that your baby may be a little tense or overstimulated and needs a little rest.
9: Baby Is Touching Its Ear
Oh my, does it have an ear infection? Not necessarily, even if that seems like a logical conclusion. Reaching for the ear often just means that your baby has discovered its ear and is now playing with it or exploring it. Or perhaps it is a little stressed and overwhelmed. Babies who rub their ears sometimes are also trying to calm themselves down.
If your baby also has a fever however, it may also be teething or actually have an earache.
10: Rhythmic Repetitions
If your baby is making the same movement over and over and it almost looks like a tic, don't worry. This is very typical behavior for babies. It's not a tic, it's just another way for your baby to soothe itself. It's nice when it can do that, isn't it?
Only if the baby seems restricted in any way by this behavior, you should consult with a doctor, just to be on the safe side.
The team of swing2sleep wishes you and your baby a wonderful time of getting to know each other.
