7 Ways to Decode Your Baby's Body Language

Tuning in to your child's gestures is crucial, especially before they can speak. "Baby behavior definitely conveys messages that tell you what your child needs," says J. Kevin Nugent, PhD, 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 and help you learn a lot about their personality and temperament, Dr. Nugent says.

For parents who get lost in translation, read on for insight into interpreting some common baby body language. Use these communication "clues," like clenching fists and constantly kicking their legs, to understand what your baby is trying to tell you.

1. Arching Their Back

A toddler may arch their back as an act of rebellion, but when infants unleash this form of baby body language, it may be a reaction to pain. Common causes of back arching in babies include:

• Painful gas
• Painful reflux
• Colic
• Frustration

More rarely, seizures or a condition like cerebral palsy can cause back arching in infants. In addition to back arching, early signs of cerebral palsy include stiffness, floppiness, and a head that lags when you pick them up while lying on their backs.

Infantile spasms are a form of epilepsy affecting babies. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), these rare spasms occur in 1 in 2,000 children. These seizures are short, lasting just a second or two and occurring in clusters, 5 to 10 seconds apart. In addition to back arching, the whole body may stiffen, and the arms, legs, and head might bend forward.

In the more common case of pain, heartburn is the most likely culprit, says Ari Brown, MD, author of Baby 411. If your baby arches their back in the middle of feeding and cries or spits up excessively, it could be a sign of reflux or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), a condition in which the backward flow of acid from the stomach irritates the esophagus.

"As the stomach acid comes up into the esophagus in the middle of the chest, a baby will arch their back to try to relieve the discomfort," Dr. Brown explains. If your baby's arched back doesn't seem related to feeding, they might be frustrated and could simply use some comforting.

If you suspect your baby may be dealing with GERD or acid reflux, talk to their pediatrician. They may recommend thickening your baby's formula or milk and elevating their head after meals. As a last resort, they may suggest medication.

2. Constant Kicking

You very well may have a future soccer player, but what's really behind a baby constantly kicking their legs? It depends on how they are acting otherwise.

"If your baby seems happy and smiley, it's probably a sign that they want to play," says Claire McCarthy, MD, assistant professor of pediatrics at the Harvard Medical School at Children's Hospital Boston. But if your baby is fussy or crying, it's likely an indication that something's bothering them.

It could be anything from gas to a dirty diaper to a cramped car seat, so do a quick once-over to see what might be bugging them, says Dr. McCarthy. Just know that some babies kick their legs simply because they can.

3. Head-Banging

It is alarming to see your 10-month-old using their head like a drumstick to methodically bang it on the hardwood floor or against the bars of their crib. But many little ones do this routinely without appearing to cause themselves any pain. But, ouch, why?

"Babies find the rhythmic back-and-forth motion soothing," says Catherine Nelson, MD, a pediatrician at Santa Clara Valley Medical Center in San Jose, California. According to the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM), head banging is part of a group of sleep-related rhythmic movement disorders (RMDs), affecting 59% of infants at 9 months of age.

Although classified as a "disorder," it's actually something most kids grow out of over time and doesn't require treatment. In fact, these rhythmic movements are a part of the way the sleep process develops.

That said, don't completely ignore this baby body language. "If your baby bangs their head for long periods of time instead of engaging with others or playing with their toys, then you should bring it to your pediatrician's attention at a checkup," says Dr. Brown. Bear in mind that most kids give up this behavior by age 3, so if the behavior persists past then, it's another good indication to check in with a health care provider.

4. Grabbing Their Ears

Don't immediately assume that tugging equals an ear infection. Dr. Nelson says many parents jump to that conclusion, but most of the time, your baby has just realized they have ears.

Indeed, children who have ear-pulling as their only symptom rarely have an ear infection. (The ear infection symptoms you should watch for include fever, stuffy nose, and trouble sleeping at night.)

So, cheer your baby on for locating this body part, but keep your eye on it. "Sometimes babies will pull on their ears when they're teething, particularly when the one-year molars are coming in," says Dr. Brown. If that seems to be the case, bring on the teething rings and extra snuggles to help make them more comfortable.

5. Clenched Fists

Does your baby seem ready to rumble? "Most newborns hold their hands in this position at rest," says Dr. Brown. Your infant isn't able to do much more yet because fine motor skills like finger and hand movement require a more developed nervous system and more complex brain function.

Babies usually start to open up their hands by 8 weeks and begin reaching and grabbing by 3 to 4 months. But clenched fists can sometimes be a sign of stress or even hunger, says S. Michelle Long, a certified baby nurse in New York City. "I find that when babies are very hungry, they tense up all over."

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), clenched fists are one of the key signs of hunger in younger babies. This is especially true when accompanied by other baby body language signals like putting their firsts to their mouth and turning their head like they're trying to find the breast or bottle (known as rooting).

For babies under 3 months, be sure your little one isn't hungry or fussy. You could also try introducing toys, like a soft rattle, to help them hold. If your child's tendency to clench their fists persists after 3 months, check in with a health care provider.

6. Scrunched-Up Knees

No, your kid is not doing an ab workout. "This position is usually a sign of abdominal discomfort, either from having gas, passing a bowel movement, or being constipated," says Dr. Nelson.

Try to ease their discomfort. If gas seems to be the issue, burp your baby throughout feedings. If breastfeeding, check your diet for common gas culprits such as broccoli or beans.

If you think constipation is a problem (which can occur when a baby transitions from breast milk to formula or when they start solids around 6 months), check with a health care provider. Their recommendations will depend on your infant's age and overall health.

7. Arm Jerks

Here's the scene: Your drowsy but still awake little one is perfectly primed for naptime. As you gently lower them into the crib, their arms flail out to the sides, startling them so they're wide-eyed and awake.

"This is a typical reflex for newborns," says Dr. McCarthy. It even has a scientific name: the Moro reflex. The reflex causes an infant to suddenly throw their arms out to the sides and then quickly bring them back toward the middle of the body whenever they are startled by a noise, bright light, or sudden movement.

This reflex is a short-lived newborn reflex. According to the AAP, it usually goes away by around 2 months. This reflex is often a response to a sudden loss of support, often when an infant feels like they are falling, says Dr. Nelson. It's normal, but you can avoid the startle-to-wake reflex by swaddling them for naps and bedtime.