NEWBORN babies may not be able to talk, but they can communicate – using body language cues to let mum and dad know when they need feeding, are full, or even feeling playful.
And while every child is different, an Australian expert has revealed that the majority of babies will be able to show these signs, so we just have to know what to took out for.
Melbourne-based fertility nurse Cate Wade, who works as a midwife educator at the Tiny Hearts Foundation, shared the organisation’s post about how children use their hands to convey their feelings.
The Facebook status by the foundation read: “Studies have shown that when a newborn is hungry, their hands will be in a tight, fist-like gesture.
“As they progress into their feed, their hands will start to loosen, resulting in a relaxed palm. This means they have had enough of the good stuff and are full.”
However, the group did warn that not every child’s body language is the same, and can sometimes be the opposite or not happen ‘every time’, saying: “You know babies like to make life a guessing game.”
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“New parents think crying is the only way a newborn can communicate their needs, but even from the early days, parents should start observing their behaviour,” nurse Cate told the Mail Online.
And she wants parents to know it’s not just hand movements that new mums and dads can look out for – as noises and general movement can all be indicators.
She says that babies will show they are craving food is they suddenly stir from sleep or start gurgling, as well as suddenly increasing physical activity like kicking their legs or waving their arms.
“Opening their mouth and turning their head from side to side ‘seeking’ their mother’s breast is also an indicator of a hungry baby,” she added.
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While the hand grip is a good indicator of when babies are full, Cate explains that parents should listen to their baby sucking on the bottle – as when they stop, it means they are full.
After a baby finishes a feed, they might be in the mood to play – displayed by more relaxed movements and reaching their arms towards a parent.
Having wide or bright eyes, as well as keeping plenty of eye-contact and using non-jerky, smooth movements, can all be signs of a playful newborn.
Sleep cues might be one of the most obvious cues both in children and adults – as yawning is an indicator from an early age of tiredness.
But Cate reveals that babies losing interest in play or activities or lacking in eye contact can also be a tell-tale sign that a nap is in order.
“Frowning, becoming quite stiff and arching their back are all signs that your little one is ready for a sleep,” she concluded.
In other parenting news, this mum shared images of her ‘magic’ breast milk that turned BLUE as a natural reaction to nursing her sick child.
