John Myers
Smacking, screaming, smiling, babbling: when it comes to baby talk, the signals of our little ones are as varied as they are exciting. We give you an overview so that you can better interpret and understand your baby’s needs.
Baby sign language – the most common signals
As different and unique as every baby is: When it comes to certain signals, children all over the world are similar. This is good news for you as a parent – because you can learn to interpret and understand baby talk. Is your baby touching your ear? Don’t worry: If it’s fit, then it’s usually not a harbinger of a middle ear infection. Babies do this when they are tired, for example. Overwhelm or stress can also lead to this gesture. Then make sure you take a break in an environment that is as non-irritating as possible. This can also help if your baby is whining and restless throughout the day.
The baby sucks his hand, turns his head back and forth and maybe smacks his lips? Then it’s probably hungry. If he’s just sucking his hand but is full, he’s most likely to tell you, “I’m tired.” However, infants also use this gesture to soothe themselves. By the way: Don’t worry if your child repeats a certain behavior rhythmically. That gives him security. Babies tend to repeat themselves and use their own methods to calm themselves down, especially when they are stressed, overstimulated or overwhelmed.
If your baby arches its back, you can usually assume a stomach ache – especially if it also pulls its little legs and cries. Support your child, for example by holding them in a aviator hold with their stomach down on your arm. Another interpretation of the arched back is frustration and discomfort. This is where moving the baby into a different position can help.
On the other hand, if your baby kicks a lot, it’s best to pay attention to the behavior. Is it laughing and cheering or waving its arms wildly? Great, then it’s happy. If it is restless and whiny, flatulence, for example, can be behind it. You know your baby best! And sometimes the kicking simply means nothing at all – or is simply an expression of the urge to move.
Does your baby cry while eating? Then it is either already so hungry that it cannot walk fast enough, or it swallows air while drinking, which in turn leads to abdominal pain.
By the way, if there’s one thing your baby can’t do at first, it’s smiling. In the first few weeks, only the so-called angel smile appears, especially when you are asleep. It is a muscular movement: the baby does not smile consciously. The social smile appears at around two months. But when do babies start laughing consciously? This takes about four to five months. Then you can look forward to loud, gurgling laughter – which comes from the heart of children.
Babbling, sounds, speaking – a new world for baby and parents
When do babies start babbling? In the first months of life, almost every baby begins to imitate the sounds of his environment. He’ll babble and make noises to get his attention – and as a parent, you’re welcome to respond. You decide whether you speak normally or switch to nurse language. The Australian Priscilla Dunstan even identified five specific sounds in newborns up to 12 weeks of age, which were summarized in the Dunstan baby language. These are intended to signal hunger, abdominal pain, tiredness, discomfort, and the need to burp. Whether it’s a happy babble or a typical “stomach ache”: you, as parents, are the quickest to learn what your baby wants to tell you. After just a few weeks, you will be amazed at how well you can differentiate between needs.
When a baby is able to speak also varies. While some say “Mama” at seven months, other children take longer. From when can babies speak – that cannot be answered in general. If you are worried about your child’s development and have any doubts, it is definitely worth asking your pediatrician or midwife.
