Babies are not hard to understand. Because they cannot talk, they cry to communicate their concern: an empty stomach, a wet or dirty diaper, cold feet, or just a need for a cuddle or hug. They also have gestures – cute or otherwise – that have messages on them. Having been blessed to look after three gorgeous boys somehow guides me to read Yael’s gestures and cries.
Our baby boy cues he is hungry when he hand-sucks and opens his tiny lips and turns his head as if catching something to suck. Sometimes, there appears a number of vertical creases on his forehead. Seeing him does that, I ready his milk before he cries.
The midwife reminded me before leaving the hospital that a baby’s stomach is so small it cannot hold very much milk. It would not take long before it empties, thus, it’s advisable to feed him every two hours, or three hours at the most. This, the kind midwife explained, is called feeding on demand.
To know if our little boy wants more milk, I try to stroke the side of his mouth. If he turns his head and opens his mouth and seeks something to suck, I offer more milk. But if I offered something and he only plays with his tongue, it then indicates he is no longer interested.
Yael gestures “I am wet” when he kicks hard and his cry sounds choppy. Once I remove his pants and diaper, then he will stop from crying and will wait for me to finish cleaning him up. After that, he would give me a sweet thank you smile.
Another cute gesture I first learned from my firstborn was the furrowed brows and pouty lips gesture. It only showed I need to change his diaper in a few minutes. My then second son’s poo face was a scrunched face accompanied by funny yet real big eyes movement. Both Yael and Bunso share that same poo face of their kuya firstborn.
Sometimes, our little boy is banging his legs against the crib mattress and crying up a storm. These gestures imply he wants a little face time with his mama. He must have figured out that banging his legs against the crib mattress would attract my attention. He is certainly right because I would quickly pick him up and swaddle him, not in a blanket, though, but in my arms.
When he is in my arms, I gently stroke his eyebrows or forehead. When he drinks milk, I also stroke his back. Research says that touch stimulates receptors in the brain that calm any baby. So I cuddle him a lot. I give him long soothing strokes to help him relax and loosen up.
It is good to recognize our babies’ needs. By being sensitive to their cries and gestures, I believe we could better respond and have a more loving relationship with them.
And just like any moms, I would want to hear from you on how your baby communicates. It’s nice to learn from other mommies, too. It helps me understand my kids more and it’s always refreshing to hear fun stories about kids and babies. Will wait then for your stories.
* This is our Yael at less than a month old. He is bigger now at eight months old and super loves to smile a lot.
Good for you that you have signs and actions to understand your darling. Me, I was always guessing! I never really remembered anything especially if there are two of them! 🙂
Riot kapag kambal siguro no. Haha. But double din tanggal pagod.
My little one is already 16 months now, though she can’t speak properly yet, she’s able to give me signs of what she wants, though sometimes I still get confused. Hehe! But the face that I can never forget is her ‘poop-face’ hahaha! I know very well if she’s doing it. Hahaha! 😉
Hahaha. Very kakaiba talaga ang poop face ng babies and even toddlers.
my mom taught me that stroking the cheek technique too! it really works 🙂
It is important for moms to know what message our babies are sending us through their actions. But amazingly, there is indeed a connection between us and the kids and it isn’t too hard to understand that.
I believe so, too. Experienced that and is still experiencing.
I guess it comes with the territory for mums to have the power to decode their little one’s body language given that it is the only way they can communicate. I guess it is all about a mum’s intuition.
I agree. Mom’s intuition. 🙂
I agree. Because babies can’t talk yet we really have to pay attention to their gestures and facial expressions. We can learn a lot about our babies by just simply being attentive.
Yup, couldn’t agree more. And you’ll soon have a baby so you would again practice those decoding gestures.
When my son is still little, I used to stroke his forehead gently then in a few minutes he’s already sleeping. I think he feels relaxed. That’s why whenever he makes lambing to me now, he wanted me to stroke on his head. Hehe.
That’s cute and sweet. I used to do that to my baby, too. Forgot everything about it now. Perhaps I do it again as there are times he just cant sleep and feels a little irritated. Thanks!
I pride myself on being the only one in the family who can understand my son’s nonverbal cues when he was still a baby haha. But how I wish I knew about baby sign language then; that would have made things even easier!
Hahaha. Babies really know how to communicate no? And they have their favorites to whom to communicate.
I don’t recall knowing when my boys wanted their diapers changed (if full). I always just felt the diaper. Hehe. I can tell very well though if they’re pooping because they look funny when they do. 🙂
Hahhaa. They have the cutest expression when they are pooping.. Hahaaha.
Haha. Babies are the cutest. No doubt then we miss those moments when they are just so tiny.
Yes, I remember getting an old baby photo of my eldest. I cried. I just so miss it.
It’s a mystery how I knew all of my babies cues. Just by looking and hearing I can tell.
🙂 perhaps moms intuition? Or moms love. Sarap maging mommy to babies , no?
You’re such an observant mom! I wish I was like that when my son was still a baby.
Maybe because he is my fourth. Hahah. Also, i resigned from work so i have the time to be with him na
Being a first time mom, I find it hard to “read” my son at first. But I guess, nothing teaches better than experience. Right now, I would know what he pertains too even if his words are still a bit hard to understand. It’s super kilg to think that we have our own language 🙂
Hihi. Same feeling re own language 🙂
THis is a great post especially for mommies to be. What we did with Charley was super trial and error until we got what we she meant. 🙂 .Thanks for sharing, Mommy.:)
You are welcome. Yes, would like to somehow help moms to be , especially first time ones.
I am very sensitive and observant with my son’s gesture when he was a newborn. It is amazing how babies can communicate to us right?
Sobra nakaka amaze. 🙂
I love your post. It makes me reminisce about my “conversations” with my daughter when she was still a baby. 🙂
Thank you. If only babies can remain as such. Too selfish though.
I love the way your blog looks. It’s clean, neat, and organized. It’s so refreshing in the eye, and it’s worth anyone’s time to read. Keep it up, mommy!