How do you read your baby’s body language?

In college I studied Communication in all of its forms (it was my chosen major of study). I graduated with a Communications Degree with an emphasis in Nonverbal Non-Verbal communication and it has helped me in a myriad of ways throughout my life but non quite as apparent as with my nonverbal babies.

Because obviously, they can’t “talk” to me, but through their noises, cries, and body language I can decipher what their needs are. The nine types of nonverbal communication fall in these categories:

9 Types of Nonverbal Communication

Facial expressions.
Gestures.
Paralinguistics (such as loudness or tone of voice)
Body language.
Proxemics or personal space.
Eye gaze, haptics (touch)
Appearance.
Artifacts (objects and images)

When it comes to babies (ages 0-6 months), I focus most on facial expressions, gestures, paralinguistics and body language. In MY nonverbals, I focus on proxemics, eye gaze, and touch. Let’s talk about how to tell this all apart.

Today, we’re going to focus on body language. After studying infants and the way they move their bodies, scientists have found that universally, babies move in similar patterns to show what’s going on inside their bodies. In other words, through this body language they are “speaking” to us. If we don’t study this information, it’s basically like listening to a foreign language. Let’s get you and your baby on the same page.

We are going to start with each body part and what signals might mean. Come back to this as often as you need and refer to it when you’re feeling overwhelmed. The answer may be as simple as “reading” your child and knowing their language.

The Head

Moves from side to side = TIRED
Turns away from object = NEEDS A CHANGE OF SCENERY
Turns to side and cranes neck back (mouth agape) = HUNGRY
If in an upright position, nods, like a person nodding off = TIRED

The Eyes

Red, bloodshot = TIRED
Slowly close and spring open; slowly close again and spring back open again - and again = TIRED
“seven mile stare” - eyes wide, and unblinking, as if they’re propped open with toothpicks = OVERTIRED, OVERSTIMULATED

The Mouth / Lips / Tongue

Yawn = TIRED
Lips pursed = HUNGRY
The appearance of a scream but no sound comes out; finally, a gasp precedes an audible wail = HAS GAS OR OTHER PAIN
Bottom lip quivers = COLD
Sucks tongue = SELF-SOOTHING, SOMETIMES MISTAKEN FOR HUNGER
Curls tongue at the sides = HUNGRY (THE CLASSIC “ROOTING” GESTURE).
Curls tongue upward, like a little lizard; not accompanied by sucking = HAS GAS OR OTHER PAIN

The Face

Grimacing, often scrunched up, like chewed caramel; if lying down, may also start to pant, roll her eyes, and make an expression that resembles a smile = HAS GAS OR OTHER PAIN, OR IS HAVING A BOWEL MOVEMENT
Red, veins at temples may stand out = LEFT TO CRY TOO LONG, CAUSED BY HOLDING BREATH, BLOOD VESSELS EXPAND

The Hands / Arms

Hands brought up to mouth, trying to suck them = HUNGRY, IF BABY HASN’T EATEN IN 2.5-3 HOURS, OTHERWISE, NEEDS TO SUCK
Playing with fingers = NEEDS A CHANGE OF SCENERY
Flailing and very uncoordinated, may claw at skin = OVERTIRED, OR HAS GAS
Arms shaking, slight tremor = HAS GAS OR OTHER PAIN

The Torso

Arches back, looking for breast or bottle = HUNGER
Squirms, moving bottom from side to side = WET DIAPER OR COLD, COULD ALSO BE GAS
Goes rigid = HAS GAS OR OTHER PAIN
Shivers = COLD

The Skin

Clammy, sweaty = OVERHEATED, OR HAS BEEN LEFT TO CRY TOO LONG, WHICH ALSO CAUSES BODY TO EXPEL HEAT AND ENERGY
Bluish extremeties = COLD, OR HAS GAS PAIN AND HAS BEEN LEFT TO CRY TOO LONG; AS BODY EXPELS HEAT AND ENERGY, BLOOD IS DRAINED FROM EXTREMETIES
Tiny goose pimples = COLD

The Legs

Strong, uncoordinated kicking = TIRED
Pulled up to chest = HAS GAS OR OTHER ABDOMINAL PAIN

So while every baby is unique, there are universal signs that typically tell us what our baby needs. This is one aspect of parenting that is completely overlooked by ailing parents, trying to figure out what their child needs. See my next post to put together body language and sounds that your baby makes to start put together what’s going on with your child. Along with a solid daily routine, we put together the entire puzzle of infant communication.

Trust me, your child will thank you for knowing this helpful information.