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Decode Your Baby's Body Language
I'm a celebrity-magazine junkie, so I consider myself an expert when it comes to reading the body language of all those A-listers. I know that Angelina's tug on Brad's muscular shoulder is her way of telling the world that he's taken. And it's obvious to me that when J. Lo tilts her head about 60 degrees while judging American Idol, that contestant is so not making it to the big time.
But when it comes to interpreting my own 3-month-old's body language, my skills aren't quite so sharp. Despite the fact that Addy is my third child, I'm often hopeless at reading her hiccups, head bobs, and odd hand positions. Yesterday, for example, I assumed that her intense sucking on her fists meant that she was hungry, so I fed her until she spit up all over her shirt and mine.
Tuning in to your child's gestures is crucial, especially before she can speak. "Baby behavior definitely conveys messages that tell you what your child needs," says J. Kevin Nugent, Ph.D., director of the Brazelton Institute, in Boston, and author of Your Baby Is Speaking to You. "Being able to read and respond will make your baby happier, as well as help you learn a lot about her personality and temperament." For the parents (like me) who get lost in translation, infant pros offer insight into interpreting some common baby moves. Use these tips to understand your own little VIP.
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I read a lot about head-banging since my 12 month old started it. I found out that it's often linked to being tired. For me, that seemed to be the cue. My daughter is now 16 months old and doesn't head-bang a lot, but when she does I usually put her down for a nap. That seems to do the trick and keeps the head-banging at bay!
2/6/2012 02:55:39 PM Report Abusethank you soooooo much, now i know why my LO doesnt like nursing and prefers pumped milk, the upright position. She was crying and arching her back half a minute through feeding.
1/20/2012 04:11:58 PM Report AbuseI saved this article after reading it in the magazine. I used it and also gave a copy to my sister in law. Great advice. Where can I get that onsie that the baby has on? It is adorable!
1/3/2012 09:41:33 AM Report Abuse