Many parents think that crying is the only way babies communicate, but you’ll learn a lot by watching your newborn baby’s body language. You’ll be amazed by the repertoire of gestures or cues the newest member of your family has to help you understand their needs. Here's your guide to understanding your little one's body language.

Baby Body Language Guide

Is your baby opening their mouth or putting their hand up to their lips?

Translation: This could be early hunger.

Is Baby rubbing their eyes or staring out with glassy eyes?

Translation: This usually means fatigue.

Does your little one hiccup or look away from you when your face is close to theirs?

Translation: This could be a sign that Baby feels a bit overstimulated.

Is Baby grimacing, grunting, and bearing down a lot?

Translation: Could be that your baby needs to poop or feels the food making its way through their intestines.

For more on how to interpret your little one's behavior, check out:

How to Decipher Different Types of Baby Cries

Signs Your Baby Is Hungry

How Your Baby Tells You They're Tired

What's Behind Your Toddler's Tantrum?

 

About Dr. Harvey Karp

Dr. Harvey Karp, one of America’s most trusted pediatricians, is the founder of Happiest Baby and the inventor of the groundbreaking SNOO Smart Sleeper. After years of treating patients in Los Angeles, Dr. Karp vaulted to global prominence with the release of the bestselling Happiest Baby on the Block and Happiest Toddler on the Block. His celebrated books and videos have since become standard pediatric practice, translated into more than 20 languages and have helped millions of parents. Dr. Karp’s landmark methods, including the 5 S’s for soothing babies, guide parents to understand and nurture their children and relieve stressful issues, like new-parent exhaustion, infant crying, and toddler tantrums.

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Disclaimer: The information on our site is NOT medical advice for any specific person or condition. It is only meant as general information. If you have any medical questions and concerns about your child or yourself, please contact your health provider.