13 Signals Babies Use to Communicate with Parents (None of Them Are Crying)

From birth, babies resort to crying as a guaranteed resource to express their needs. However, this is not the only language of the little ones. There are also other more subtle forms of communication, such as gestures, body movements and breathing. Learning to understand these signs will be very beneficial for the child, as well as helping to strengthen your bond with him.

O awesome.club wants to accompany you in this beautiful phase of creation and has prepared a list of signs that newborns use to communicate with their parents when they still don’t know how to speak.

Babies’ body language can give us some clues about a child’s needs at different times of the day. Although each newborn is unique and finds its own ways of communicating with its parents, there are some movements that are repeated in most children and we can attribute common meanings to them. For example:

Licking lips: according to experts, crying can be a late sign to indicate that the baby is hungry. Before crying, little ones usually give us other clues to make us realize that they need to fill their bellies. If you notice that the child begins to lick or pucker his lips, he may be trying to tell you about his need for food. The same happens if you bring your fingers or hands to your mouth. Show the tongue: Babies sticking out their tongue repeatedly is completely normal. The mouth is the tool they have to explore the world. It is also a way of recognizing one’s own lips and is part of the feeding instinct of all newborns. Also, according to a study, babies mimic adults’ facial expressions, including sticking out their tongues. Applaud: Seeing a baby putting their little hands together and starting to clap has got to be one of life’s most adorable moments. He may not be able to express in words that he loves puree or the movement of a toy, but he will show his approval and joy through the movement of his hands. Rubbing the Eyes: babies often rub their little eyes when they feel tired and need a nap. However, there are other causes that can also generate this movement: maybe you have something in your eye (like an eyelash), your eyes feel dry or you have an allergy. You, better than anyone else, will know what your child is trying to tell you with this sign. Be alert to give him what he needs. Constant kicks: this movement must be interpreted in conjunction with other baby gestures. If, in addition to kicking, the child smiles, this is probably an indication that he would like to play. If, on the contrary, she seems to be upset or cries, it could be a sign of discomfort or that something is wrong. Pulling or tangling your hair: sometimes babies pull adults’ hair to get their attention. However, it can also happen to tangle and pull your own hair. In that case, it’s a sign of irritability, tiredness or sleepiness.

Gestures are one of the most effective forms of non-verbal communication to express feelings and sensations. Babies tend to gesture a lot and they make us understand everything with a few simple movements of their face.

Smile: According to a study, laughter is a central component of babies’ early development. “We believe that the simplest response to children’s laughter is that they are happy,” says the research. And it highlights the importance of shared laughter, as a quick way to create a connection between two people. Stare at you: if a baby stares at you, it is probably recognizing your face. According to experts, a child’s brain can process information from faces in the same way as an adult’s.

Open your eyes and raise your eyebrows: the combination of these gestures expresses surprise. The child has detected something unexpected, new or strange, and his face says so with very clear signs.

Lift the chin and lower the eyebrows: this is a clear sign of sadness and other emotions if it is accompanied by tears. In general, babies experience this feeling when they are afraid of losing their bond with a person with whom they have developed a special relationship.

Breathing can also give us some clues about the state of health of our babies. In addition, it is an important factor for the normal growth of children.

Breathing through the nose with the mouth closed: it means the baby is breathing properly. In the first months of life, children breathe exclusively through their nose. If you are relaxed and have your lips closed while you sleep, you can rest assured that you are getting restful sleep. Breathing through the mouth: if your baby breathes through the mouth, there may be some change. Perhaps you have a stuffy nose due to frequent colds, or because your tonsils are too large, or you may have a deviated nasal septum. The secret is to be attentive and consult a professional to find the right solution for the child. Breathe fast: it’s completely normal. Babies breathe faster than adults, with a rate of 40 to 60 breaths per minute (in adults, the rate is 20 breaths per minute).

Each baby is unique and will establish its own patterns of communication with parents. It is important that adults are present and respond to each of the child’s demands, leaving them safe and satisfied. In addition, this connection will help create an atmosphere of trust and love, which will be very beneficial for your entire development.

How is communication with your baby? Do you believe you understand your gestures and movements? Remember any other signs to add to the list?