How to Understand a Newborn's Needs

Your baby is born with the ability to communicate. You may remember your baby̵7;s reaction to music, loud noises and the sound of your voice when she was still in your womb. And her ability to let you know what she needs or wants is still there and growing stronger each day. Paying attention to her behavior signals when she is rocked, held, cuddled, undressed and bathed helps you understand what she is trying to say.

Instructions

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      Pay attention to your baby's cries as this is her primary means of communication. Babies cry when they are wet, hungry, sleepy or when they need to be held. It is not possible to spoil a newborn baby by rocking or holding her too much. Newborn babies have the need to be held and cared for so they feel secure. According to certified family educator Sandy Bailey, for Babycenter.com, young babies are completely spoil-proof. Prompt attention to your newborn̵7;s cries will help her feel secure and less anxious. She will be happier and more content knowing that you hear her and understand that she needs you. By the time your baby is 6 to 8 months old, she learns that her cries are part of a cause and effect relationship, meaning you respond when she wants something. But while she is a newborn, her cries mean she needs you and that is normal.

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      Notice your baby̵7;s movements. The way your baby moves may look random, but every action has meaning, even in a newborn. Turning toward noise or voices, moving her arms toward her mouth, wriggling or squirming are all signs your baby needs something. While in your womb, close quarters made it easy for your baby to soothe herself by sucking her thumb. Getting her thumb to her mouth is more of a challenge as she learns how to make her arms work. You may notice wriggling and squirming accompanied by hair at the base of the skull that is damp. This means she is too hot and wants to be unwrapped from her blanket. Pulling her legs up to her tummy might mean gas or that she is getting ready to have a bowel movement. If you baby is still and looking at something intently it means she likes it and is relaxed.

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      Watch your baby̵7;s responses to stimuli to see how she responds in different situations. Does she cry when there are loud noises or too much activity in a room? Does she settle easily when you play music? Does she calm down to the sound of your voice? Noticing how your baby responds to different situations helps you choose appropriate times of day to take her out. It also helps you better predict what she will need when you are away from home.

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