Do you remember your baby's very first cry? From the moment
of birth, babies begin to communicate.
At first, your newborn's cries may seem like a foreign
language. But before you know it, you'll learn your baby's
"language" and be able to answer your little
one's needs.
How Babies Communicate
Babies are born with the ability to cry, which is how they
communicate for a while. Your baby's cries generally tell you
that something is wrong: an empty belly, a wet bottom, cold feet,
being tired, or a need to be held and cuddled, etc.
Soon you'll be able to recognize which need your baby is
expressing and respond accordingly. In fact, sometimes what a baby
needs can be identified by the type of cry - for example, the
"I'm hungry" cry may be short and low-pitched, while
"I'm upset" may sound choppy.
Your baby may also cry when overwhelmed by all of the sights and
sounds of the world, or for no apparent reason at all. Don't be
too upset when your baby cries and you aren't able to console
him or her immediately: crying is one way babies shut out stimuli
when they're overloaded.
Crying is a baby's main method of communication, but
they're also capable of other, more subtle forms. Learning to
recognize them is rewarding and can strengthen your bond with your
baby.
A newborn can differentiate between the sound of a human voice
and other sounds. Try to pay attention to how your little
one responds to your voice, which he or she already associates
with care: food, warmth, touch.
If your baby is crying in the bassinet, see how quickly your
approaching voice quiets him or her. See how closely your baby
listens when you talk in loving tones. Your baby may not yet
coordinate looking and listening, but even when staring into the
distance, he or she will be paying close attention to your voice as
you speak. Your baby may subtly adjust body position or facial
expression, or even move the arms and legs in time with your
speech.
Sometime during your newborn's first month, you may get a
glimpse of a first smile and perhaps hear that first laugh or
giggle - welcome additions to your baby's communication
skills!
What Should I Do?
As soon as you hold your baby after birth, you'll begin to
communicate with each other by exchanging your first glances,
sounds, and touches. Babies quickly learn about the world
through their
senses
.
As the days after birth pass, your newborn will become
accustomed to seeing you and will begin to focus on your face. The
senses of touch and hearing are especially important, though. Your
baby will be curious about noises, but none more so than the spoken
voice. Talk to your baby whenever you have the chance. Even though
your baby doesn't understand what you're saying, your calm,
reassuring voice conveys safety. With almost every touch your
newborn is learning about life, so provide lots of tender kisses,
and your little one will find the world a soothing place.
Communicating with newborns is a matter of meeting their needs.
Always respond to your newborn's cries - babies cannot be
spoiled with too much attention. Indeed, prompt responses to
babies' cries lets them know that they're important
and worthy of attention.
There will probably be times when you have met all needs, yet
your infant continues to cry. Don't despair - your baby
may be overstimulated, or have gastric distress or too much energy
and just need a good cry.
It's common for babies to have a fussy period at the same
time every night, generally between early evening and midnight.
This can be upsetting, but the good news is that it's
short-lived - most babies outgrow it at around 3 months of age.
You can try to soothe your baby. Some are comforted by motion,
such as rocking or being walked back and forth across the room,
while others respond to sounds, like soft music or the hum of a
vacuum cleaner. It may take some time to find out what best
comforts your baby during these stressful periods.
Should I Be Concerned?
Talk to your doctor if your baby seems to cry for an unusual
length of time, if the cries sound odd to you, or if the crying is
associated with decreased activity, poor feeding, or unusual
breathing or movements. Your doctor will be able to reassure you or
look for a medical reason for your baby's distress. Chances are
there is nothing wrong, and knowing this can help you relax and
stay calm when your baby is upset.
Here are some other reasons for prolonged crying:
- The baby is ill. A baby who cries more when being held or
rocked may be sick. Call your doctor.
- The baby has an eye irritation. A scratched cornea or
"foreign body" in a baby's eye can cause redness
and tearing. Call your doctor.
- The baby is in pain. An open diaper pin or other object could
be hurting the baby's skin. Take a close look everywhere,
even each finger and toe (sometimes hair can get wrapped around a
baby's tiny digits and cause pain).
If you have any questions about your newborn's ability to
see or hear, you should bring them to your doctor's attention
immediately. Even newborns can be tested using sophisticated
equipment, if necessary. The sooner a potential problem is caught,
the better it can be treated.
Reviewed by:
Steven Dowshen, MD
Date reviewed: July 2008
Note: All information is for educational purposes only. For specific medical advice,
diagnoses, and treatment, consult your doctor.
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