Here are a few useful tips on how you can understand baby's body language and gestures.
It can be difficult to understand your baby. They don't speak the same
language you do, they are still learning how to move around and use their
hands. But there's one thing you can always count on: they will communicate
with their body!
5 Useful Tips That Will Help You Understand Your Baby's Body Language
Babies communicate through body language
When babies want something, they'll let you know by making gestures or using
their bodies in certain ways. It may take some time for both of you to learn
these signals but it is well worth the effort because once learned, this
communication system will help bond you more closely together as parents and
children.
1. Baby wants food
If your baby is hungry, they will stick out their tongue and lick their lips
to show you. This gesture rarely fails – it works for both breastfed and
bottle-fed babies, as long as the milk or formula is warm enough.
Some babies, especially if they are hungry or they have been crying for a
while, may open their mouths wide as if to yawn. This is because the muscles
of the jaw are contracting in preparation for something they expect. It's also
common for them to make little licking motions with their tongue.
If you offer your baby a spoonful of food and they refuse to eat, do not force
them. You will know when the
baby is hungry
by looking for the abovementioned clues. You can research this topic further
online and visit a doctor in case you notice something unusual in your baby's
behavior.
2. Baby wants attention
A baby who does not want to be ignored can clap their hands or slap the
highchair tray to get your attention. If you ignore her, she might even slap
her own face or head. Hitting yourself like this is not a harmful form of
self-inflicted punishment – babies do it to attract attention and it's an
attempt at communication.
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Photo courtesy of Unsplash |
A baby might also turn their back on you as a way of saying they want your
company and your attention and will respond positively when you respond to
them. If they do this, try not to take it personally or feel rejected. They
are simply communicating with you in the only way they know how!
3. Bored baby
If your baby is getting cranky and bored, he may start flapping his hands as
if trying to fly. This gesture lets you know that he's feeling a bit
overstimulated and needs to calm down. You can help him relax by changing his
position or engaging him in a new activity.
Boredom is often the reason for a baby to start banging his head against
pillows, crib slats, walls, or other objects. Babies bang their heads when
they have no other way of letting you know they are bored and want your
attention. They may also do this if they want to sleep but it's too early for
their nap times.
Babies who experience trouble sleeping at night find comfort in rubbing their
eyes because the act of rubbing sends a soothing massage to the brain that
says, "I'm tired, I need to sleep."
4. The baby is feeling under-stimulated
If your baby seems to be fidgeting all the time or spends too much time
whacking his legs against surfaces, he may be telling you that he needs more
stimulation. There are many ways you can activate him so he gets the sensory
input he requires for healthy development. Some ideas include tummy time,
laying under a play gym, patting his back while he's lying down, etc.
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Photo courtesy of Unsplash |
If your baby is not particularly fidgety but spends more time yawning or
rubbing her eyes than she does smiling at you, it may be that she needs some
help staying alert. Babies are quickly bored by anything they have seen many
times before, so try introducing new toys or other objects to keep them
interested.
Sometimes babies yawn when they are tired, but it can also indicate boredom,
overstimulation, or even hunger. This is often the case when a baby suddenly
goes from being calm and happy to agitated, whiny, and eventually exhausted.
Take your baby's mood shifts into consideration before attributing them to
over-or under-stimulation.
5. Baby is ill
If you notice that your baby is drooling a lot, has a stiffened posture with
his arms bent toward the body and hands clenched into fists, and seems to be
rubbing his face almost constantly, he may have
caught a cold or some other illness. You can comfort him by cleaning the drool with a baby wipe and then placing
your hand on his forehead to see if he has a fever.
Colds make babies' noses runny and congested, so they constantly need to rub
their noses against things in order to gain relief. If your baby seems to be
rubbing his nose often and breathing through the mouth, it may indicate a cold
or another respiratory ailment.
Epilogue
It is important to be able to read your baby's body language in order to
understand what they are trying to communicate. Babies use a variety of
gestures and movements to get their point across, and if you know what to look
for, you can usually figure out what is wrong or why they are upset.
If you're ever unsure about something, don't hesitate to ask other parents or
consult with your pediatrician.
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Thank you for sharing po about sa meaning ng body language ng kids perfect to lalo na sa mga wala pa idea or sa meron pa lang 1st baby.
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