Baby Talk – 5 Tips for Decoding the Cries and Body Language of a Newborn
Photo: Jonathan Borba/Unsplash
Although your new baby cannot talk yet, they can still communicate what they want and need – you just have to be wise to the cues. Babies communicate in their own little ways for many reasons, with most whimpers, cries, screams, and body language meaning something specific. “I’m hungry,” “My diaper is wet,” “I’m tired,” and other important messages can all be conveyed without words.
All cries are not the same, so here’s how new parents can decode what their newborn is telling them along with simple solutions to soothe him.
1. The “I Don’t Feel Good” Cry
This cry can tug at the heartstrings, that’s for sure. It is a soft whimpering that is weak and nasal, making it sound as if your little one has no energy left. It is usually accompanied by other symptoms like fever, rash, diarrhea, and the like.
If diaper rash is the culprit, be sure to apply baby rash cream with every diaper change until it’s gone. However, if the symptoms are more serious, contact your doctor right away.
2. “I’m Hungry!”
This cry isn’t hard to decipher as it’s usually accompanied by lip-smacking, rooting for the breast, making a sucking motion with the tongue, and fingers getting thrust into the mouth. The cry itself is a low, rhythmic, repetitive cry that gets louder if ignored for too long.
The solution is simple: feed your baby. You should respond to hunger cries as quickly as possible to keep your baby from getting too worked up. The longer a baby cries, the more likely it is that they will gulp air in with the milk, resulting in more gas or spit-up after eating.
3. “I’m Done. I’ve Had Enough!”
Babies can get overstimulated easily. When this happens, your little one may emit a fussy, whiny cry and try to turn their head and body away from the stimulation.
If you think your baby is overstimulated, move to a quieter environment. White noise from a fan or nature sounds often helps to soothe an overstimulated baby.
4. “I’m Tired” or “I’m Uncomfortable”
Babies need a lot of sleep, especially in the first few months of life, so naps are important. An “I’m tired” cry is a whiny, nasally cry that builds in volume and intensity the longer your newborn is kept awake. This cry can also indicate discomfort as in, “I need my diaper changed or I need to get out of this car seat now!”
The first thing you should do when you hear this cry is check for a soiled diaper. Once that is taken care of, put your baby down for a nap and get some rest yourself – it’s a good thing for both of you.
5. The “I’m Bored” Cry
Your new baby relies on you for everything, including entertainment. Sometimes, you aren’t as entertaining as they’d like you to be, and they get bored. A bored cry can start as coos as your baby tries to get your attention. This can quickly transform into fussing, and if the fussing doesn’t work, you may be in for some intense and indignant tears!
When your baby is obviously trying to get your attention, simply pick them up and cuddle or play with them. You won’t spoil them, we promise!
Babies use crying and body language to convey what they want and need. Don’t make the mistake of thinking that your child can’t communicate with you until they begin talking. Watch your baby’s moods and movements, and take the time to learn their unique language. You’ll be glad you did.
