Why does a child cry or how to understand a baby without words

Even before the baby says his first word, he will give thousands of signals to his parents. He will tell you that he wants to eat or play, ask to be held or sleep, using facial expressions, gestures and more. In this article we will look at how to learn to understand a baby without words.

It is useful for parents to understand the child’s facial expressions and gestures

Firstly, understanding the signals that the baby gives helps to form an emotional connection between parents and the child. By the way, the establishment of this connection occurs from a very early age. Primarily through touch and visual contact.

For example, a baby is scared - if you catch the signals and calm the child, he will feel safe, comfortable and protected. Establishing healthy emotional connections at an early age will affect his cognitive abilities in the future - speech, thinking and others.

And, secondly, reading facial expressions and gestures helps us in raising a child. This way we can see that the baby wants to sleep, even before he starts to be capricious and cry, we will skip this stage and immediately move on to preparing for bed.

Why does the baby cry?

For babies, crying is the most common way of communication. This is a clear signal that parents are sure to heed. Therefore, crying does not necessarily mean that the child is in pain or that something is wrong. Here are the different reasons why a baby may cry:

• • The child is hungry. He cries rhythmically and can simultaneously move his head and lips, and put his hands in his mouth.
  • Fatigue. The baby does not pay attention to those around him and seems to whine.
  • The baby feels pain. This will be indicated by very loud and high-pitched crying with short pauses.
  • Experiences discomfort, for example, from an overfilled diaper. The crying is whimpering, but growing.
  • Overexcitement or loneliness. In the first case, the crying is sharp and loud, and in the second it is low and capricious, the baby is trying to catch your eye.

If your baby is crying, try to understand why. Take him in your arms and stroke his back - it calms him down.

What else can a baby say using facial expressions and gestures

“I want to sleep”

The fact that the baby is tired can be indicated by many things in his behavior:

• • turns away from adults, avoids eye contact,
  • rubs eyes, face and ears,
  • yawns or sucks a finger,
  • swings his legs and arms.

If you notice such gestures, start putting the baby to bed. A little more and he will start crying to attract your attention.

Children over six months old may give some of these signals for another reason - they want to take a little break, including from playing with you.

“I’m not happy!”

The baby may experience dissatisfaction due to discomfort. For example, an overfilled diaper, creases in clothes that rub, or unsuitable air temperature.

• • clenches his fists
  • wriggles his whole body, spins,
  • furrows his brows.

A baby may also show dissatisfaction due to hunger or even boredom.

“It’s time to eat”

In infancy, a child may show signs of hunger up to 12 times a day. Over time, the number of feedings gradually decreases, and by the age of one year the baby stops wanting to eat at night.

• • opens his mouth, sticks out his tongue,
  • puts hands in mouth
  • buries himself in his chest in his mother’s arms.

If you ignore or fail to notice the signals, the baby will start crying. According to experts, over time, the baby may stop giving calm signals, and immediately start crying every time - this happens if you do not pay attention to facial expressions and gestures.

“Let's play or hug”

With his gestures and facial expressions, the baby can invite you to play or calm contact.

• • looks for your gaze, actively observes,
  • smiles
  • pulls his hands towards you,
  • calm body, measured movements.

Smile back at your child, say nice words and just give him your attention. This is important.

At what age does a child begin to understand the reactions of adults?

From the first days of life, a universal way of communicating with a baby is touch. Only over time will the child be able to distinguish intonations, facial expressions and other non-verbal signals when the baby, with the help of adults, will have not only physiological needs, but also social ones. Here's how it happens.

• • By the end of the first month of life, the child can fix his gaze on the face of his parents;
  • By the end of the second month, the baby can already follow the faces of adults and distinguish the varnish tone.
  • By the third month, the so-called “revival complex” is formed. The child demonstrates a reaction to the appearance of a significant adult: smiles, moves actively, holds his gaze, makes joyful sounds.
  • By six months, the child is already able to show different reactions when different adults appear. He notices differences in appearance, facial expressions and voice.
  • By the age of one year, the child takes an increasingly active social position. He strives to interact with you and objects, and shows an increasing range of emotions.

Each baby has his own special sign language, his own ways of expressing certain emotions and stating his needs. To understand them, just be attentive - watch the baby without haste. Over time, you will understand your baby's special language, which means you will become closer.