Dee, our main nurse, helped me the most as I grappled with breastfeeding, burping, swaddling, nappies and even showering at the right time.
While she cared for us, I had many opportunities to be shown how to look after my son and even after all of this extra time, I still felt like a fumbling novice. I remember marvelling at how Dee would do everything without fuss and at the ease in which she could read my son.
"Oh we are a tired little man aren't we?" she would say followed by her "double-check" burping, swaddling and putting him down to sleep. I would think "I've just changed and fed him? He doesn't look tired? What am I missing? Would I see what she sees when I leave?"
I did eventually leave - feet dragging as I went - into the adventure we call motherhood. I survived and over time learnt that what Dee was good at, was spotting my son's tired "sleepy baby signs", signs all baby's give us from day one.
Not only did I learn about these early signs, I also learnt that as babies grow they can use another natural baby communication, baby sign language, made popular by Drs. Linda Acredolo & Susan Goodwyn's research into "Symbolic Gesturing". Their research showed us that babies naturally use, and can learn to use, conceptual signs for expressing things such as tired, hungry or thirsty. It's a way to get their needs met, feelings acknowledged and thoughts shared!
All this before they can even talk.
So I thought to get you on the road to spotting these very early signs and help you towards baby communication; I’ve put together some photos of “sleepy baby signs”. I know I would have really appreciated them when I had my son!
My Sleepy Baby Signs Photos
Wriggling. Can be mistaken, as I have done for baby playing.
Rubbing eyes. I think one of the easiest signs.
Grimacing face.
Making fists.
Yawning. Speaks for itself this one.
Leg movement. Another one that I mistook for baby playing.
Looking away from you. Can look like they are bored and you may think they want to do something else.
Fixed stare. I think that's an adult sign too! Usually after months of disrupted sleep.
Grizzling. Though this photo looks more like the photo you would use when they are well and truly ready for bed! But I think you get the idea.
