By: Anuradha
Looking after a baby is not an easy thing at all. All your energy and patience have to be given to the little one and you will understand its gravity only when you become a parent. When they are at an age where they cannot speak, things become extra hard. You will not know what exactly the baby is feeling and that can create many issues.
We see that many parents interpret their kid’s gestures in the wrong way and therefore, we thought of making you enlighten about the signs of your baby. Read them carefully and hope that you would provide the maximum comfort to your baby after this!
The way they cry.
One of the main ways a baby uses to tell what he/she wants is by crying. The baby is crying because of hunger, pain and they can also cry for something else.
1. A calling cry – when a baby cries for 5-6 times and then wait for 20 seconds or so before repeating the process, that means they are actually waiting for someone to come and pick them. They need constant attention and you would hear this cry when you leave the baby alone for some time.
2. A cry because of hunger – this can begin with a calling cry but if the baby is not picked up and fed, they can be hysterical. The baby will also rotate his/her head and will make smacking sounds with the mouth.
3. A cry because of pain – when they are in pain, a baby will give a monotonous, loud and constant cry. As the pain increases, there can be hysterical outbursts. Sometimes, they might give monotonous but quiet cries when they do not have the strength to cry.
4. A cry because of physiological processes – baby gives out a whining and a squeaking cry due to discomforts in urination, gas or defecations.
5. A cry because of sleepiness – when the baby wants to sleep but can’t fall asleep due to some reason, they will cry as if being offended and smooth whinning. They will yawn, rub their eyes or ears and will indicate that they are sleepy.
6. A cry because of discomfort – they will cry as if being irritated and intermittent when they in discomfort. They can even flail or arch and that means you should check their diaper or see whether they are being too cold or hot.
Tiny babies can also cry when they want to change their environment or when they are frustrated or bored.
The movements they make.
Baby’s well-being can also be identified from body language.
1. Arching their back – babies under 2 months make this move when they are responding to pain or colic. They will arch their back after eating to say that they are full. If a baby is older than two months, then this movement says that the baby is tired and in a bad mood.
2. Rotating their head – babies will do this when they need to calm themselves. You will see them often doing this before falling asleep or when they are around unknown people.
3. Grabbing their ears – this is just a sign to say that they are exploring their body. but if the baby continues to do this, you should consult a doctor.
4. Clenching their fists – babies do this when they are hungry.
5. Lifting their legs – this is a sign that baby is of colic and tummy pain.
6. Jerking their arms – babies will do this when they are frightened by something. It can be a loud sound, bright light or sudden awakening.
Something that is recommended by pediatricians is talking with your baby as often as possible. That will help them to start communicating and more you spend time with the kid, more you will be able to understand him.
The sounds they make.
According to some studies conducted by Australian Pediatrician, Priscilla Dunstan babies make different sounds to communicate. The study was based on thousands of babies from different nationalities who were aged between 3-4 months. She thinks that primary reflex sounds are international. So, this is what their different sounds actually mean:
1. ‘Neh’ – I am hungry. Babies will produce these sounds by pushing their tongue up to the roof of their mouth and is triggered by the sucking reflex.
2. ‘Eh’ – I am gonna burp! They release this sound when excess air starts to leave the baby’s esophagus and the baby tries to release it from the mouth.
3. ‘Owh’ – I’m sleepy or tired! They fold their lips before yawning and make this sound when they are sleepy.
4. ‘Heh’– I am feeling uncomfortable! Baby make this sound when unpleasant sensations make the baby move and jerk their hands and feet.
5. ‘Eairh’ – I have gasses and pain in my tummy! When a baby is in pain. He/she would moan and try to exhale while trying to get rid of the pain.
