The bond between mother and child goes beyond words.
It is often instinctual.
A mother may instinctively know when their child is hungry, sleepy or cranky, just with a single glance.
But sometimes this knowing needs to be nurtured too, like any new relationship.
Unlocking your child’s communication secrets involves understanding their cues, needs, and preferences.
The term ‘baby whisperer’ implies a deep connection and effective communication between parents or caregivers and their infants.
However there are many ‘universal’ signs and gestures that all babies make that help them communicate their needs and wants.
This is what is known as baby communication.
How to Hone Your ‘Maternal Telepathy’
While any mother can successfully decipher their baby’s body language through books and blogs, nothing beats the good-old, traditional way.
Being a responsive, attentive parent is important for fostering your ‘mum telepathy’. It is a sixth sense that helps you predict your baby’s needs as if by intuition.
This involves establishing a close and healthy relationship with your baby from the get-go.
Physical contact and touch is one of these ways. Nothing like skin-to-skin bonding.
Eye contact is another.
Eyes are the windows to the soul as they say, and babies look for their mother’s gaze all the time.
Newborns also love their mother’s voice, which is why experts recommend talking to your baby while they’re still in the womb.
You can also read your baby bedtime stories, talking to them using parentese (a type of exaggerated language adults use when talking to babies.
Baby Language and Communication
Babies communicate in simple ways.
And for newborns, this communication can be even simpler. Manifesting as cries and oftentimes, nothing else at all. Which may be difficult for parents to understand what their child needs.
However, contrary to popular belief, babies don’t just communicate through crying or screaming. Especially after they’re a few months older.
They also laugh and scrunch their faces to express delight or discomfort.
They may use their hands to indicate that they’re hungry or sleep.
They may even stare at their mum square in the eyes to tell her he’s ready for playtime.
That said, here are some tips on how to decode baby language.
Mastering the Art of Baby Communication
Facial Expressions
Before babies learn how to speak the most obvious way that they express themselves is through facial expressions.
These are often similar to adults, if a lot of more dramatic and animated.
For instance, a happy baby may widen their eyes, raise their eyebrows and open their mouths. And an angry baby may scrunch their faces and may even turn red.
Babies are also known to experience boredom, having a faraway look and not being interested in their toys.
Hand Gestures
Sometimes facial expressions may be accompanied by hand gestures.
A hungry baby may put their hands in their mouths. This indicates that they’re ready for a feeding.
If your baby is sleepy, then they may rub their eyes.
However, they will usually tell you in more obvious ways if they’re sleepy (Hint: yawning).
Sometimes, one gesture may have two meanings.
Babies will flap their arms when they feel either happy or frustrated.
The only difference lies in their facial expression.
Sounds and Cries
Not all baby sounds are created equal.
For a new mother, all baby cries and noises may sound the same.
But there are specific differences in intonation, pitch and volume.
For instance, ‘Neh’ means they’re hungry, ‘Owh’ means they’re sleep, ‘Heh’ means they’re uncomfortable, ‘Eair’ means they have lower gas and ‘Eh’ means they need to be burped.
However, its important to note that these examples are just a general guide.
Your baby might have totally different sounds for different needs.
Research says that when it comes to deciphering baby cries, experience trumps everything else.
Body Movement
If they scrunch up their legs like their doing ab crunches, it means they may have a stomach problem like gas, constipation or bloating.
It may also indicate that they’ve passed motion.
Be sure to burp them or change their diapers when this happens.
If they arch their back, it means that they’re in pain and you may need to get them checked out at a hospital.
Some movements could also indicate a milestone.
An example would be babies who are able to flip themselves over when lying down.
Honing the Art of Baby Language
Remember that each child’s cues and expressions can often be different. And sometimes only a mother knows what their child needs.
But to make this sort of communication happen at all takes time and patience. Weeks and months of building trust and empathy.
With any luck, you’ll be able to read your baby’s thoughts, as if you two share the same mind.
Which makes your job as a mother that much easier.
You’ve got this, mummies!
Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as medical advice from Motherhood. For any health-related concerns, it is advisable to consult with a qualified healthcare professional or medical practitioner.
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