When a baby is really young, their parents tend to have a bunch of fears about their little one’s well-being and health. They try to guess exactly what their baby wants and what it is that might be causing them discomfort. But how do you understand babies without using words? Experts outline 3 main methods that can help babies communicate with adults.
The way they cry
Crying is the main way a baby expresses their needs during their first 4 months of life. But how can parents understand whether the baby is crying because of hunger, pain, or something else?
- A calling cry. The baby has been alone for a long time and now they want their parents to pick them up. They continuously cry for 5-6 seconds and then pause for 20 seconds as if they’re waiting for the results. If the parent doesn’t respond, then this cycle repeats several times until the crying becomes continuous.
- A cry because of hunger. It can start with a calling cry but if the baby wasn’t picked up and fed, the cry will continue and become hysterical. The baby might also keep rotating their head, making smacking sounds with their mouth.
- A cry because of pain. This crying will be monotonous, loud, and constant. Periodically, there will be hysterical bursts indicating that the pain increases. However, if the baby is getting sick, their cry can also be monotonous, but quiet, because they don’t have enough strength to make loud noises.
- A cry because of physiological processes. Even gas, urination, or defecation can initially cause discomfort in a child. This type of crying resembles whining and squeaking.
- A cry because of sleepiness. When the baby wants to sleep but can’t fall asleep for some reason, their cry will sound like an offended and smooth whining, followed by yawning. The baby will also rub their eyes and ears.
- A cry because of discomfort. This crying is irritated and intermittent, and is often accompanied by fidgeting. The baby can also flail and arch. It means it’s high time to check their diaper or they might be feeling too cold or too hot in their clothes.
- Moreover, very tiny babies may cry when they want to change their environment or when they are frustrated or bored.