A guide to understanding your baby through their body language. Learn how to interpret the clues that will enable you to help your chid communicate.
Having a new baby in the house, be it your first or your fourth, is always a new experience because each child is different and has a unique way of expressing itself. Having a basic understanding of babies and their body language will assist you in deciphering what your child wants when he can't just tell you, but bear in mind that each child is an individual and will have their own peculiar ways of telling you something.
Babies have an instinctive reaction called a Moro or Startle Reflex. This is when they open their eyes wide, arch their backs and often their fingers and toes are flexed. This can be due to a fright of some sort, a loud sound, bright light or feeling of falling, but it can also indicate pain somewhere in the body. A baby will show disgust by wrinkling his or her nose and pursing the lips, and according to psychologists this is also an instinctive reaction shown in babies worldwide. At about three months of age your baby will begin to show fear, again this will be illustrated by the arching of the back, which is the bodies primitive way of readying itself for an escape.
Your baby's eyes will give you a world of information. If he or she is happy they will meet your eye and if his eyes are clear and alert he is happy. If they avoid eye contact it is possible that they are over stimulated and need a calming period, while half shut eyes or screwed up eyes can indicate discomfort, especially when coupled with a furrowed brow.
Your babies' breathing is a good indicator of his health and happiness. At night the rate of breathing will vary depending on what stage of sleep he is in. If it is fast he is unhappy with something and likely to be upset. If it is an effort for him to breath then consult your doctor as soon as possible.
Generally when a baby is born they will hold their little hands tightly clenched, but after the first few weeks loose open hands will indicate a relaxed child, while splayed fingers and fists will indicate discomfort or annoyance. By thirteen weeks your child will have discovered his hands and though he may have little control, the movements they make will fascinate him.
I adore my baby's feet, as I am sure most parents do, so keep an eye on them to indicate whether or not your child is suffering from any pain. If the big toe is extended the chances are good the child is in pain and if the whole foot is stiff and pointing towards the floor, then your child could be in acute pain. Slightly curled toes can indicate discomfort.
A baby is a little human so many of his gestures will be obvious to parents. If he turns his head away from you, you are in his bad books, but if he turns it towards you then he is pleased to see you. As the baby grows and gains more head control he will be able to follow your movements around the room but even when he is first born you will be able to turn towards you should he want to. Similarly when he yawns he is over-stimulated or tired. When he begins to lift his arms towards you at around six months he wants you to pick him up.
Light is a stimulant to both the eyes and the nerves in the nose so he may sneeze when he first wakes up, relax he doesn't have a cold. I knew one parent who thought her child had a strange and rare disease because he was always sneezing when he opened his eyes.
Your baby will respond to high-pitched sounds for the first few weeks, and when you talk to him you may notice mouth movement as he tries to imitate you. The first smile will make an appearance at around four weeks so keep a camera handy. He may begin playing with his arms and gentle movements suggest he wants you to join in but quick, hard movements show he is annoyed.
If he isn't yet crawling and his legs are gently kicking out, the baby is happy and relaxed, but if they are drawn up tightly to his tummy or stiff it may indicate abdominal pain. If he is crawling he may crawl away from you to prove he is cross: just be grateful he can't drive yet!
