7 Interesting Tips To Understand Your Baby’s Body Language
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Congratulations, you’re a mom now! And, you might be spending most of your time caring for your new bundle of joy, observing her movements, and trying to understand why she makes certain movements more than the others.
If this sounds like you, then you should think about reading this post. Because, here, we look at some ways to unravel the mysteries of baby-speak and talk about the different ways in which your newborn tries to express herself to you.
Reading Baby body language can tell you a lot about a baby’s mood and her feelings. So here, we list some baby body language keys to help you understand:
Understanding Baby Body Language – 7 Tips:
1. Kicking Legs:
It Could Mean:
Your baby is happy and having a great time. Leg kicking is your baby’s way of expressing her happiness. Mostly babies kick their legs when they are in a bathtub or while you are playing with them.
How To Respond:
You can set your newborn on your lap and sing a song. Kicking syncs with the rhythm of the song and such song make your baby happier (1).
2. Arching The Back:
It Could Mean:
A baby arches her back as a reaction to pain or uneasiness. Mostly, babies arch their backs when they suffer from heartburn.
How To Respond:
Help your newborn relax. If your baby arches her back in the middle of her feeding section, then it can be a sign of reflux. Avoid stressing on feeding if your baby spits up or cries, and make her comfortable (2).
[ Read: Baby Development Month By Month ]
3. Head Banging:
It Could Mean:
Babies bang their head on the floor or against her crib’s bars when she suffers irritability or pain. The rhythmic back-and-forth head banging offers soothing effect to your baby.
How To Respond:
If your baby hits her head often for long spans, then it is wise to visit a pediatrician for your baby’s check-up. Unlike your metalhead teen, don’t ignore baby’s head banging (3).
4. Grabbing Ears:
It Could Mean:
Baby grabbing her ears is her way to express her joy of discovering her ears. Also, your baby may pull her ears when she is teething. If your baby cries and grabs her ears, then she might be suffering from an ear infection.
How To Respond:
Join your baby in her quest to locate her ears. Help your baby to be comfortable when she is teething. Check with your pediatrician if your child suffers an ear infection (4).
[ Read: Fun Things To Do With Newborns ]
5. Clenched Fists:
It Could Mean:
A clenched fist is a regular movement that babies make. But, clenched fist may also be a sign of hunger or stress. When your baby is hungry, she becomes tense and clenches her fist.
How To Respond:
Feed your baby if she is hungry. If your newborn develops a habit of clenching her fist persistently after she completes three months, then it is wise to check with your pediatrician (5).
[ Read: Common Signs Of Baby Hunger Cues ]
6. Scrunching-Up Knees:
It Could Mean:
Baby scrunching up her knees is a sign of digestive discomfort. Your baby may scrunch up her knees when she suffers from uneasy bowel movements, gas, or constipation.
How To Respond:
Ease your baby. If your little one scrunches up her knees due to gas, help you baby burp. If you are nursing your baby, avoid eating foods that cause gas. If your little one suffers constipation, then check with your doctor. Give your baby sufficient water and some diluted prune juice (6).
7. Arm Jerks:
It Could Mean:
Arm jerks are baby’s reaction to the environment and a sign of alertness. Usually, your newborn will thrash her arms when she hears a sudden noise or experiences a bright light. Baby may also jerk her arms when you put her on the floor or if she feels a sudden loss of support.
How To Respond:
Arm jerks are the standard baby reflex, and they disappear after four months. Swaddle your baby when you put her to sleep. Swaddling your baby will provide her enough support and prevent her from jerking her arms.
Did you understand baby body language? Which movements does your baby use the most? Tell us here! Leave a comment below.
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