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Health & Fitness

Can't Stop Staring at Your Newborn?

Welcome to my blog! A natural response to newborn babies is to stop and stare in wonder.

Captivation with a Purpose
Whether your newborn is asleep or awake you'll find you can hardly take your eyes off of your new baby. You'll catch yourself staring at your newborn for long stretches of time without even realizing it. You new baby is captivating, and rightly so! But, perhaps this natural response serve a purpose ... another clever design by Mother Nature.

Learning Your Baby's Cues
Perhaps this purpose, other than the sheer pleasure it gives you, is to help you learn your baby's cues. Recognizing body language cues will help you learn about your baby. Being able to "read" your baby's behavior will help you know what your baby wants and will be very beneficial time and time again.

For Example
One baby cue that you've probably already discovered is the body language cue called rooting. Rooting consists of head turning to the side with mouth open as if "looking for something," flailing hands, and an effort to suck on those flailing hands as coordination allows. Rooting is an "early" baby cue (before crying) that "tells you" your baby is hungry.

Gift of Repetition
Staring at your newborn comes naturally. And learning your baby's cues can come naturally to you too. With the gift of repetition, and the unique message attached to each baby cue, you'll soon be able to say ... "When my baby does this ___, it means this ___."

It's Good
Enjoy staring at your baby, as often as you can. It's good for both of you.

For you and yours,

D. Fravert, RN
www.aboutyournewborn.com


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