Before babies develop the ability to speak and communicate, they rely on facial expressions or crying to express their thoughts and needs. Different expressions on a baby's face carry different meanings. Understanding these signals can help caregivers take better care of the baby. Moms, take a look below!
1. Expression: Ignoring
Meaning: Sleepy and wants to sleep
When a baby is tired from playing, their eyes lose their sparkle, become unfocused, and their movements slow down. They might yawn frequently and seem uninterested in adults. This likely means the baby is sleepy and wants to sleep. At this point, parents should stop trying to play with the baby and instead create a quiet and comfortable sleeping environment.
2. Expression: Red face
Meaning: Wants to poop
When a baby frowns, their face turns red, they hold their breath, and their gaze becomes fixed, it might mean they want to relieve themselves. Quickly take the baby to the potty, otherwise, the mess will increase. Correctly identifying when the baby needs to go can reduce the workload for parents.
3. Expression: Puckering or pursing lips
Meaning: Needs to pee
When a baby puckers their lips or tightly holds their upper lip over their lower lip, it might mean they need to urinate. If the baby shows this expression, check if the diaper needs changing or help the baby relieve themselves promptly.
4. Action: Putting random things in their mouth
Meaning: Teething discomfort
During teething, babies feel significant discomfort, experiencing pain and itching. This discomfort can make them fussy or cause them to cry incessantly. As a result, babies might chew on random objects to relieve the discomfort. When this happens, parents can provide teething toys or biscuits to help soothe their baby. Additionally, parents should keep glass items or sharp objects out of the baby's reach to prevent injury.
5. Expression: Dull eyes
Meaning: Sick
Healthy babies have bright, lively eyes that move freely. If you notice your child’s eyes looking gloomy, dull, and lifeless recently, it could be a sign of illness. In such cases, it’s best to take the child to see a doctor immediately—don’t delay!
The above explains the different meanings behind a baby’s expressions. Although babies cannot verbally express themselves, they can still convey their thoughts and needs in their own way. When parents understand the meaning behind these expressions, they can not only address the baby’s needs promptly but also reduce the workload of caring for the baby. Therefore, it’s crucial for parents to be familiar with these expressions, as it is closely tied to the baby’s growth, development, and overall health.
