Newborns have reflexive behaviours that create a universal language.
Engagement Cues
Quiet Alert State:
Relaxed Body
Bright Wide Open Eyes
What should you do when you see these engagement Cues?
When baby gets more active start watching out for cues about what they need.
Hunger Cues no.1
Rooting – baby wants to latch on
Hunger Cues no.2
Sucking – they will suck on anything they can reach ( a hungry baby is not sure where the food came from and they will try to suck and latch wherever they can)
Hunger Cues no.3
Tongue Thrusts – baby moving tongue around a lot inside the mouth.
Hunger Cues no.4
Baby may dive for a nipple when being held
What should you do when you see hunger cues?
Babies typically show hunger cues 15 / 20 mins before starting to cry.
Full Cues
Satisfied – Milk Drunk Baby, sleepy, groggy, relaxed
Windy Cues
Pulling knees up to tummy, Creaking noises, Squirming, grimacing, unsettled
Windy Cues
Pulling knees up to tummy, Creaking noises, Squirming, grimacing, unsettled
Do – burp the baby over your shoulder & pat its back, or sitting on your knee and patting its back, or do the yoga roll of the knees gently up to the tummy & hold for a second or two and relax them back, and repeat as long as baby needs it or as baby will allow.
Poop Cues
Thoughtful expression, pursed lips, furrowed brow, grunting
When you see these cues – hold your baby in the poop position – hold them in front of you, support their thighs. Its easier to poop sitting than lying down.
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Tired Cues
Yawning, dull glassy gaze, rubbing eyes and ears
Do – soothe them to sleep – swaddle baby or snuggle it up tight, pick a repetitive motion and or white noise.
Do not continue to stimulate a tired baby, an overstimulated baby will cry,,,,and cry,,,,and cry. Its their only way to release it.
Overstimulation Cues
(these can happen if you ignore the disengagement cues and keep stimulating baby)
Stiff Body
Tight muscles
Grinding Cry
Instead of adding more stimulation, try rocking, swaddling, white noise
Chose a calming technique that is repetitive and predictable and stick with if for at least 5 mins.
As baby settles down try quiet repetitive motion to sooth baby to sleep.
The first 10 – 15mins of sleep is REM
It’s a light sleep.
Light sleep signs are; twitching, fluttering eyelids, sucking.
Continue your soothing technique in this stage of sleep, and try not to disturb the baby.
They will settle in to deep sleep after 10 -20mins.
Deep Sleep – relaxed body and face and quiet rhythmic breathing, very little moving.
