Topic 3: Sleep, Baby Cues, and Settling

IN THIS LESSON

Your baby’s body language gives you important cues about whether your baby is:

Text and video source: https://raisingchildren.net.au/newborns/connecting-communicating/communicating/baby-cues

Tired signs in babies include:
- staring into the distance
- jerky movements
- yawning
- fussing
- sucking fingers
- losing interest in people or toys.
For more information on tired signs:
https://raisingchildren.net.au/babies/sleep/understanding-sleep/tired-signs
When your baby is hungry, they might:
- make sucking noises
- turn towards the breast.
Cues that your baby is ready to play with you include:
- eyes wide and bright
- eye contact with you
- smiles
- smooth movements
- hands reaching out to you.
Babies who are 4 months and older might not always be ready for a nap after their play time. Sometimes they might want a change of pace or activity instead. So what do these baby cues look like?
If your baby wants a break from what they’re doing right now, they might:
- turn their head away from you
- squirm or kick.

Period of PURPLE crying

All babies go through the period of PURPLE crying!
It’s absolutely normal and part of their development.
Although it can be very frustrating, it is temporary and will come to an end.

Video and image source: National Center on Shaken Baby Syndrome, https://dontshake.org/purple-crying