Baby Communication: Understanding Newborn Behavior
The Full Term Infant
Congratulations on the start of a most amazing journey - the relationship of connecting to and understanding your precious and
unique baby! As you watch your baby you will notice six very distinct ways of alertness your baby moves through his/her day. Each
way or “infant state” has special clues that will let you know what he/or she might need.
Light or Active Sleep
This is the “noisy” sleep where baby moves around a lot. Sometimes baby might cry out and go back to sleep!
You might see those “early feeding cues”: hands up to mouth, sticking out their tongue, eye ball movement underneath the eyelid all
are early feeding cues. You can wake your baby up and should if you see those early cues. If you sit your baby up, and move your
baby in an up and down motion( while sitting up,) or place your skin to skin with you all these techniques might help to wake
baby up. Another idea is to try dimming the lights as this helps baby to be more alert vs. going to sleep. The light sleep is the first
way babies enter into sleep (opposite of adults).
Deep Sleep
Have you seen baby and wondered “are they breathing”? When you see your baby’s body being very still –
Punctuated by an occasional startle, these are all characteristics of the deep sleep. Baby has the ability to “tune out” noise around
them. It is their “growing time” They are not available for eating or interaction.
In the first 24 hours after birth baby at first may have a very nice long alert period where they are watching you interacting and
feeding. Then they go into a recovery period where they are very tired (and so are you!). It’s normal for them to take in small
amounts of colostrum and recover. In the first two to three weeks baby is sleepy. Your baby is needing to feed frequently and their
tummy is small, so try to sleep when your baby sleeps.
Babies cycle between the light and deep sleep every 20-30 minutes, so WATCH YOUR BABY and they will tell you what they need,
even in their sleep.
Drowsy
Your baby’s eyes might flutter open and shut and breathing can be fast or slower. If you pick baby up, they
might wake up more or if you put your hands on their chest and gather his/her hands by their face, they may settle to sleep
Quiet Alert
Your baby’s eyes are bright and shiny and body is still, breathing is quiet, and they are staring at you. If you
talk to them, they can respond and turn toward your voice. They can see about 8-12 inches. The contrasting shapes of your face are
their favorite, which is why “you are your baby’s favorite toy!” Your baby loves to hear your voice and can recognize it, so talk, sing,
and read to your baby!
This is also a good time to place your baby on your chest (skin to skin initially, in the hospital)to have some tummy to play. When
you get home you can place baby on the floor for tummy time to exercise their neck, shoulders, and arms that they will use later for
rolling, crawling, and sitting up. Time on their tummy is important so they don’t develop flat spots on their head or low muscle tone
in the neck arm and shouders.(See tummy Time sheet).
Active Alert
Baby’s body is moving, breathing is more rapid and even though their eyes are open they are not really
focusing. They are rapidly moving towards crying. Asking yourself: what might my baby need? A diaper
change, feeding, etc.?
Crying
This is the way your baby calls for help. Going down a mental checklist can help you identify what they
need: are they hungry? Do they need a diaper change or to pass gas? Does they want to be close? Are they overstimulated? You
know your baby best and what they need. Trying different things will help. Think about where your baby has been; at this stage your
baby is in transition from the womb to the world. They were rocked and swaddled by the uterine wall and now they have to get
used to the light, the gravity and the air. So recreating womb like experiences outside the womb may help your baby calm down.
Swaddling with their hands up, suckling (on breast or hands), white noise, rocking movement, your voice (singing or talking) or skin
to skin (wear your baby in a wrap). You cannot spoil your baby – just the opposite! Responding predictably and consistently now
will mean your baby will cry less later on. Don’t forget your Flex Hold sheet for a hold that can help soothe baby.
Remember: inconsolable crying is a danger signal and warrants a call to your baby’s doctor. Never shake your baby.
If you feel stressed, put your baby down in a safe place and ask for help. A crying baby can be stressful!
As you watch your baby, you and your little one will form a lifelong bond called attachment. This can happen right away (as soon as
you find out you’re pregnant) or it can take some time! You have great resources through the hospital and your community
available to you whether you are a first time parent or a parent to more than one child.
Congratulations! Your baby is here!
Kathy Morris,BS,CLC
[email protected]