Your newborn can’t talk and express his/her needs. That’s why they tell you through their actions.
Becoming a new parent is the most amazing experience of a lifetime. While the beginning of parenthood is exciting, it is equally overwhelming. The most stressful part is when the babies are crying and you have tried every possible way to calm him/her down and at the end of all your efforts, you realize that it was just a wet nappy. Imagine how convenient it would have been if the baby could have just said, “Mama, my diaper is wet. Please clean me.”
During my conversations with new parents, when I tell them how babies can express their feelings with specific actions, they get a clear idea of how to communicate with their newborn.
Why don’t you try some of these to talk to your kiddo also?
0- 3 Months action translation:
1. I am hungry – Opening the mouth wide and turning on the sides.
2. I am gassy – Vigorously moving and bending the knee towards the shoulder.
3. I am gassy and uncomfortable – Sleeping on the sides and finding a good position to sleep.
4. I am hungry but can wait for 10 minutes – Screaming without crying.
5. Pacify myself with or without hunger – Putting my fingers in my mouth and sucking them.
6. I am not happy with the latch and position while breastfeeding – Moving my fingers while breastfeeding. Please hold me close to the breast, mamma.
7. I’m scared that I will fall – Clutching your dress collar very tight. Please hold me properly.
8. I am not full and still hungry – Closing and clenching the fist.
9. I am full and satisfied – Opening my fist and relaxing the hand.
10. I am in pain and very gassy – Twisting/ twitching on sides.
11. I am in a lot of pain – Crying with a red face and holding my breath while crying.
12. I am not able to transfer milk properly – Having dark lips because I am latching on the tip of the nipple.
13. I am just startled. I am not cold – Jerking and making sudden movements.
14. I am in a shallow latch. Please correct my position – Getting a dimple on the cheeks while breastfeeding.
15. I am not latched properly – Clicking sound while breastfeeding, gulping air. Be aware! I might be gassy later.
16. I’m not latched or vacuumed well from previous feed – My nose is blocked. I’m having difficulty in breathing.
17. I am doing potty or susu – Making the shape of my lips like the letter ‘O’.
18. I am crying with hungry – Making the sound nah- nah while crying
19. I am gassy,” BURP ME” – Crying as if I am coughing.
20. I need to burp before breastfeeding more – Shaking my head and disconnecting from breast regularly while breastfeeding.
21. I’ve gulped lots of air while breastfeeding – Getting regular hiccups.
22. My head is itchy/ I have cradle cap – Trying to reach my hand to the head and trying to rub it.
23. I am not comfortable with the burping position – Not resting my head in the burping position.
24. I am in discomfort – Not sleeping at night.
25. I have tiny gassy bubbles moving in my belly – Smiling while sleeping.
26. How to console me when I’m crying? – Tapping me on the bum or gently swinging me rhythmically.
Make a note of these in your mind and slowly you’ll learn to understand what your newborn is trying to tell you. And that, you will enjoy responding to their little needs for sure!