Your baby is unique and has their own personality.
Children can be different in:
- their need for sleep
- how they can be soothed
- their need for you to be near them
- the way they respond to hunger, discomfort, heat, cold and being handled
Cues are a baby’s way of communicating what they need or dislike.
Babies communicate through their body, sounds, and facial expressions. Recognising these cues helps you respond to your baby and develop your relationship with them.
Connecting and communicating with your baby
What you might notice
Cues your baby makes may include:
- looking unsettled
- yawning
- shutting their eyes
- crying
Reasons why your baby is trying to communicate include:
- tiredness
- feeling lonely
- hunger
- being too hot or cold
- wanting to get your attention
- a dirty nappy
- being uncomfortable
For example, signs your baby is hungry are called early feeding cues.
They include:
- eyes fluttering
- moving their hands to their mouth
- making mouth movements
- moving towards your breast or turning their head when you touch their cheek
How to learn what your baby is trying to tell you
Every baby is special and unique. Take time to get to know your baby’s cues.
As you spend time with your baby, you'll learn:
- what they need
- how to respond to them and comfort them
- what touch, sounds and environments they enjoy
This helps you develop your relationship with them.
Some babies love rocking motion or soft music, or being outside on a calm day. Other babies squeal with delight when they are excited. Some toddlers run with joy when they are happy.
You may need to help your baby cope and adapt to things that unsettle them. These could include bright lights or going into a new environment. For example, they may need to hear your voice or feel you close for reassurance.
Crying
Crying is the main way babies and young children tell you they're distressed or that they need you.
While crying can be upsetting for parents, it is an important skill for babies to use.
You will get to know what the different cries mean over time. It is often trial and error in the early days.
Reacting to a baby's cry gives them the message that they are important and that others can be trusted to be there when things are tough. Small babies do not have the tools to calm down on their own. Helping them to do this is an important building block in their mental health.
Sometimes your child will be soothed by your response. Other times they will simply need you to be there when they are distressed.
Learning the ways your baby likes to be soothed helps them to experience and manage their feelings. This is the beginning of what is called emotional regulation.
Responding to baby cues
More support
Find a free online learning tool for parents - togetherness.co.uk.