Baby behaviour explained
Once you become a mum and start to get to know your baby she’ll amaze you every day with her growth and development – it happens so fast!
She may not do much in the first few weeks except feed, sleep and cry – but once she gets used to her new surroundings she’ll start to display all sorts of quirky behaviour that will have you scratching your head and constantly asking, 'Why?' Here’s gurgle’s roundup of the most common examples of strange baby behaviour…
Why does she grip my finger so tightly?
From practically the moment she’s born your newborn will grip your finger for dear life, holding on so tight she’ll be in danger of cutting off your circulation!
Scientists have speculated that this involuntary reflex is inherited from our primate ancestors, when holding tight to mum would have been crucial for survival. Your baby’s grip is so strong that experts reckon she can support her own weight (although you shouldn’t try to test that theory by lifting her!). Studies have shown that when a baby grips his mum’s finger his heart rate slows, suggesting that it comforts him to hold onto you in this way. And as she grows and develops, she’ll progress to consciously grasping objects, honing her fine motor skills in preparation for writing.
Why does she love her blankie so much?
Comfort objects are of vital importance to babies and once they form an attachment to something, whether it be a blanket or a soft toy, it’s often a case of true love that may last for years. Your baby loves familiarity – the people and places that she’s familiar with give her a sense of security, and that holds true for objects too. The feel and scent of her comfort object will help calm her, especially when you aren’t there. They can be invaluable in the transition to daycare or preschool, as they’re a reminder of you and of home. A word of warning: if you see your baby forming an attachment to a particular comfort object, then hunt down a stunt double so that you can wash that tattered rag or teddy once in a while!
Why was my baby born with so much hair?
All babies are different and some come out with a head of
hair that wouldn’t look out of place on a sasquatch, while others are as bald as your old grandpa. In fact, at around six months of your pregnancy your baby’s whole body is covered in hair – called lanugo, it’s pale coloured and performs the vital function of insulating your baby in the uterus (she doesn’t start to lay down fat on her body until late pregnancy). Premature babies are often born with lanugo still covering their bodies.
But as far as your baby’s head of hair is concerned, this is likely to depend on heredity: if you or your partner have had thick hair since birth, your baby is likely to aswell. But here’s the funny thing: many babies
lose their hair in the months following their birth, possibly because they’re no longer receiving your sex hormones via the umbilical cord. So even though your baby might have a thatch of thick black hair it could all fall out and be replaced by finer hair in a totally different colour! And watch out for her bald spot too: she’ll develop one at the back of her head because she spends most of her time laying on her back.
Why does my baby cry without making tears?
Yup, those tiny babies sure make a lot of noise but apart from the sound effects, their crying fits aren’t all that productive and it’s actually pretty unusual to see real tears. It’s not because they can’t manufacture them – they can (although some babies are born with blocked tear ducts). It’s because babies aren’t born with the ability to form tears in response to emotional distress. This doesn’t develop until they’re three or four months old, when their nervous system kicks in and starts transmitting messages to the tear glands in response to stress.
Why does my baby have pimples?
In the first few weeks of your baby’s life it’ll suddenly hit you that she doesn’t have the dewy complexion of all those magazine cover babies! Yes, just like all those supermodels that really do have the exact same crows’ feet as you in real life, those cover babies are airbrushed to perfection. In reality, hormones that remain in your baby’s system for a couple of months after she’s born make her skin oily and prone to outbreaks of tiny pimples called milia, mainly on her cheeks and forehead. Don’t be tempted to pick at the pimples or try to burst them if they develop white heads, as you could cause infection and scarring; and don’t use any harsh astringents designed for your skin in an attempt to clear them. Be patient: once your baby’s hormone levels stabilize her baby acne will clear by itself.
Why does my baby bang her head on her cot?
It’s reckoned that up to 20 percent of babies do this, and the habit seems to be more common in boys though it isn’t clear why. Experts think that headbanging may actually be a self-comforting gesture, as it’s rhythmic motion that involves rocking back and forth. It also may stimulate your baby’s developing senses of balance and motion. Try to distract your baby from doing it if you can, and speak to your paediatrician if you’re at all concerned that he might hurt himself. You should also alert your paediatrician if your baby’s development is lagging behind in any way, as the headbanging could be tied into developmental issues.
Why does my baby love bouncing so much?
Your newborn will be soothed by a gentle bouncing movement because she’ll have become used to it in the uterus as she was rocked, swayed and jiggled while you went about your daily activities. But big babies love bouncing too and this may be because it stimulates your baby’s sense of balance and helps her to understand the concept of movement.
Why does my baby walk like John Wayne?
Once your baby gets up and at ’em, keeping her feet as far apart as she can helps her maintain her balance while she’s walking. But the effect, combined with the fact that it’ll take her a while to figure out just how to bend her legs at the knees, is to make her look as though she just got off her horse. Cluck over the cuteness factor while you can, because it won’t be long before she’s rock steady and stops waddling like a duck!
The information in this feature is intended for educational purposes only. If you have any concerns about your health, the health of your child or the health of someone you know, please consult with a doctor or other healthcare professional.
Published: September 2008
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Last Modified: 24/09/2008
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