Cracking the Baby Face Code

December 28, 2022 Infant

Wide eyes, scrunched noses, bouts of babbling… what does it all mean? How your baby is feeling is written all over their chubby little face. They may not be able to say the words yet, but you can crack the code to your baby’s feelings by using all of those funny facial expressions as clues.

“I’m interested”

  • If you see this…
  • Wide eyes
  • Raised eyebrows
  • Slightly opened mouth
  • Pointing or moving towards something close
  • Do this!
  • Encourage their interest by letting them safely explore. Allow your baby to touch and play with an object they seem interested in — just remember, they’ll likely want to “taste” it too!
  • Help your baby expand their interests and learn new words by explaining the objects they explore. “This is a hat; it’s soft and warm.”

“I’m overwhelmed”

  • If you see this…
  • Frowning
  • Scowling
  • Near tears
  • Do this!
  • Avoid a full-blown meltdown by taking your baby away from the current situation; move to a quieter area with them to help them calm down.
  • Sometimes too much attention from too many people can simply be too much for a baby to handle.
  • Give them some space; let them sit in their car seat or swing by themselves for a while.

“I’m mad”

  • If you see this…
  • Red face
  • Eyes squinted shut
  • Pushing away
  • Crying
  • Do this!
  • Make sure your baby is not sick, too hot, in pain, or in need of a clean diaper.
  • Use simple, soothing responses like shushing or repeated phrases like, “now, now, it’s okay, it’s okay” to help calm them down.

“I’m scared”

  • If you see this…
  • Eyes wide open
  • Trembling face and hands
  • Little body movement
  • Crying out
  • Do this!
  • Pick up and hold your baby while you calmly explain what’s happening — even though they may not understand what it means, they’ll feel safe just by listening to your calming voice.

“I’m gassy”

  • If you see this…
  • Intense crying with grunting sounds (“urrrr”)
  • Scrunched face
  • Squirming or bringing legs up to chest
  • Do this!
  • Softly massage your baby’s tummy or gently move their legs in a bicycle motion to help them release uncomfortable gas.
  • If your baby’s discomfort doesn’t seem to get any better after 30 minutes, call their doctor.

“I’m having fun!”

  • If you see this…
  • A big smile
  • Lifted cheeks and wrinkles at the corners of eyes
  • Waving or clapping
  • High-pitched babbling
  • Do this!
  • Join in on the fun! Your baby wants you to be happy too — seeing you having fun with them will boost their cheerfulness and build their self-confidence.
  • Talk with your baby about the fun you’re having. “Do we like to dance? Dancing is fun, isn’t it!”

It’s no secret, your baby is watching your faces too! Babies learn by watching the world around them. They may not be able to say what they’re thinking , but they’re learning so much every moment they spend with you. When your baby sees you happy or sad; excited or scared, they learn what all of these feelings look like. Your baby will learn how to express their feelings by watching how you express yours — remember, a face is worth a thousand words!