Before your baby learns to speak, she will be relying on her body to communicate her needs and wants. DR RICHARD C. WOOLFSON decodes her common moves.
When you are a new parent, interpreting your baby’s body language can be difficult. In her first few months, crying is her only means of communication.
As she grows, her body language broadens to include gestures, and arms and leg movements. Learn what your little one is telling you:
0 to 3 months:
“I want something to eat.” When your baby is hungry, she cries. The hungry cry follows a rhythmical pattern. She cries, then stops to breathe, then cries. This pattern is regular and persistent, and stops only when she is fed.
“I am not very comfortable, Mum.” This cry is urgent, sharp and short, then breath-holding momentarily, followed by a quick breath, and another cry. Find the source of distress, for example, a soiled diaper.
“It’s time for a nap.” When your baby is tired, her cry turns into a whine. She may rub her face furiously, roll her head from side to side, or even tug at her ear. A cuddle or gentle rocking motion soothes her to sleep.
3 to 6 months:
“I want something different.” She may smile and push the food bowl away, or turn her face to the side as you raise the spoon to her lips.
“That looks very interesting.” Your attention is attracted by the strange noise coming from her cot. You see her straining to reach an object just outside her reach.
“I don’t feel very well.” Lethargic body movements can carry as much meaning as active gestures. If your infant is normally full of enthusiasm during her waking hours, listlessness indicates she could be unwell.
6 to 9 months:
“I want to know how that works.” Her innate desire to discover is expressed in new ways because of increased hand control. She crumples up paper, not because she is naughty, but because she wants to investigate its properties.
“I’d like to solve that puzzle.” To her, an unopened box is enticing. Upon approval Please sign: Name and Date: Young Parents She wants to know what it contains, what the contents taste like, and all its potential uses. So she pulls herself across the floor until she reaches it.
“I want you to play with me.” Your baby initiates social interaction. She hands her toy to a total stranger as an invitation to join in with her game.
9 to 12 months:
“I want to do this myself.” When she moves away to attempt a difficult activity (such as opening a drawer), she’s saying she intends to complete the task independently.
“This is so frustrating.” Your little one has not learnt to cope with frustration when things don’t go her way. The tension builds inside her until she throws the toy away in irritation.
“I’m not confident about this.” Her body language occasionally reveals her fragile confidence, like when she hides behind you when you answer the door to a stranger. She removes herself from an uncomfortable situation.
To better understand your baby’s body language, match your interpretation with a specific action. If you think she is bored, playing with her should satisfy her (not if she’s unwell). If you suspect she is tired, gentle rocking should help her sleep (not if she needs her diaper changed).
She crumples up paper, not because she is naughty, but because she wants to investigate its properties.
ILLUSTRATION CHENG PUAY KOON
