7 Clues To Decode Your Baby’s Body Language

From the minute your baby is born, each of their senses is already working. However, they are still too young to know how to know what they mean and how to use them. Although they couldn’t speak yet, they actually can tell you something with every little action that they do.

Unfortunately, the parents can’t speak baby. But despite that, it is still important for every parent to know what their baby needs.  Here are seven communication clues to decode a baby’s body language.

1. Communication Clue: Arching Back

Parents advisor Ari Brown, M.D., and the author of Baby 411 said:

“As the stomach acid comes up into the esophagus in the middle of the chest, a baby will arch her back to try to relieve the discomfort.”

2. Communication Clue: Constant Kicking

Claire McCarthy, M.D., assistant professor of pediatrics at the Harvard Medical School at Children’s Hospital Boston, said:

“If she seems happy and smiley, it’s probably a sign that she wants to play.”

But if the baby is fussy, there’s a high chance that something is bothering them.

3. Communication Clue: Head-Banging

Catherine Nelson, M.D., a pediatrician at Santa Clara Valley Medical Center in San Jose, California, said:

“Babies find the rhythmic back-and-forth motion soothing.”

However, this habit is not all playful. Dr. Brown noted that if your baby does this way too much, and would prefer doing this than to play with others and toys, then a checkup should be done.

4. Communication Clue: Grabbing Ears

Dr. Nelson said:

“Many parents jump to that conclusion, but most of the time your baby has just realized that she has ears.”

Dr. Brown also shared that this communication clue may also mean they’re teething.

5. Communication Clue: Clenched Fist

S. Michelle Long, a certified baby nurse in New York City, said:

“I find that when babies are very hungry, they tense up all over.”

6. Communication Clue: Scrunched-Up Knees

Dr. Nelson said:

“This position is usually a sign of abdominal discomfort, either from having gas, passing a bowel movement, or being constipated.”

7. Communication Clue: Arm Jerks

Babies jerked their arms when they’re started by a loud noise.