How to read baby cues
Reviewed by Dr. Manisha Panchal
Learning to read your baby’s early cues — before things devolve into crying — is key. This can be hard at first, since every infant is different in precisely how they communicate. Luckily all babies share a set of basic needs like hunger and tiredness, so there’s a good chance their cues are signaling a particular need. Parenting expert Priscilla Dunstan1 conducted research with hundreds of babies to identify 5 key sounds that indicate which need your baby is trying to signal.
Start observing your baby’s communication patterns. Which of the cues outlined below do they display, and what basic needs do you think they are trying to communicate?
EXPLORE BABY CUES
"I’m hungry"
Look for these behaviors:
- Restlessness
- Mouth opening
- Turning head
- Stretching
- Hand to mouth
Listen for the “Neh” sound babies sometimes make when they’re hungry.
Look for these behaviors:
- Fussing after feeding
- Breast or bottle refusal
- Looking or pushing away from food
- Back arching
- Body stiffness
- Jaw clamping
Look for these behaviors:
- Squirms if laid down
- Fussing mid-feed
- Chest tightening
Listen for the “eh” sound babies sometimes make when they have to burp.
Look for these behaviors:
- Rigid body
- Pulling legs up to tummy
- Grimacing
- Distressed and urgent cries
Listen for the “eairh” sound babies sometimes make when they have gas.
Look for these behaviors:
- Yawning
- Staring blankly
- Touching face
- Rubbing eyes
- Lack of interest
- Jerking limbs
Listen for the “owh” sound babies sometimes make when they’re tired.
Look for these behaviors:
- Lack of eye contact
- Turning head away
- Squirming
- Kicking
Look for these behaviors:
- Jerky movements
- Squirming
- Stopping feeding
- Shivering, cold hands and feet
- Sweaty head and warm tummy
Listen for the “heh” sound babies sometimes make when they’re uncomfortable.
Look for these behaviors:
- Bright, wide open eyes
- Alert and responsive
- Eye contact
- Smiling
- Smooth movements
- Reaching arms out to you
Listen for the cooing or babbling sounds babies can make when they’re ready to play.
It’s normal to feel anxiety over understanding your newborn’s behavior and communication. Be patient with yourself and your baby if it feels impossible at first. By paying attention to your child’s cues and Dunstan sounds, and running through the list of common needs we’ve provided, you’ll start to recognize your baby’s communication patterns over time.
References
1 dunstanbaby.com
EXTERNAL RESOURCES
Additional resources
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