Hungry? Tired? Bored? If only newborns could just tell us exactly what they were thinking! Since brand-new babies aren’t able to express their needs with language, we rely on their cues to determine what they need. Refer to the list below to help you decipher whether your newborn is ready for a meal, a nap, or play!
Some cues (especially crying) can apply to more than one category of needs! As you get to know your baby, you will be able to more easily decipher your baby’s various cries.
I’m Hungry:
- Rooting: turning their head from side to side with their mouth open
- Bringing their fists to their mouth and sucking
- Smacking and licking their lips
- Crying (late hunger cue)
What to do: Offer a feeding!
I’m Full:
- Lets go of breast or bottle nipple
- Closes their mouth or turns away when offered the breast or bottle
- Relaxes their hands and body
- Drowsy
What to do: End the feeding, offer some awake time or a nap.
I’m Tired:
- Avoiding eye contact
- Blankly staring off
- Flutter sucking at the breast or bottle with heavy eyes (no longer taking in milk)
- Rubbing their face into your shoulder or arm
- Red eyebrows
- Yawning
- Fussing/crying
What to do: Put your baby down for a nap in the bassinet or crib. Baby fighting sleep today? Let them sleep in the carrier, or head out for a nap on the go!
I’m Uncomfortable:
- Arching
- High pitched crying
- Her body is rigid and tense
What to do: Check their temperature by feeling the back of their neck. Are they warm or sweaty? Remove a layer of clothing. Check their fingers and toes for hair tourniquets (hair tightly wrapped around a digit). Try changing outfits in case a scratchy tag or tight elastic band is bothering them. If it seems like they are uncomfortable due to gas, try laying them belly down across your arm, and applying a bit of pressure to their tummy.
I’m Ready for Play
- Making eye contact
- Fussing relieved by a change in scenery
- Cooing (older newborn)
- Turning their head towards engaging objects (older newborn)
What to do: Offer an engaging awake time activity like the playmat, tummy time, watching a mobile, or playing peek-a-boo.
Always remember, the newborn stage is a lot of trial and error. Every baby is different, and may not show every cue in each group. Soon enough it will be easier to interpret their gestures, and eventually their language!
