Your baby is trying to communicate with you from the moment they are born.
But it's not always easy to work out what they're trying to say when they can't speak any words.
There are some signs to look for to get an idea of what they're trying to communicate.
Every baby is different, and you'll get to know your own, but here are some signals you might spot.
1. Baby rubbing eyes or face
If I鈥檓 rubbing my eyes and cheeks, starting to stare into the distance and clenching my fists tight, it鈥檚 likely that I鈥檓 getting a little sleepy.
When babies are tired, they often show it by rubbing their face, tugging on their ears or balling their hands into fists. Often they get a bit glassy-eyed and stare at nothing in particular. These are all sure-fire signs your little one needs to get to sleep.
2. When babies have a red face and kicking legs
I鈥檓 kicking my legs and breathing a bit fast, my face is reddening鈥 it could be a sign that I either need a change of activity or a burp.
Legs raised and kicking, along with quick breathing and a pained expression, could be a sign that baby is either a bit frustrated or that they need winding.
3. 'Ooooh!' face or the baby o face
Whatever you鈥檙e saying or doing, it looks like I鈥檓 going 鈥榦ooooh!鈥 in response! When I鈥檓 pulling my lips into a little 鈥極鈥 shape and widening my eyes, it鈥檚 playtime.
This look, wide open eyes and round little mouth, is a common one for excited babies who want to play with their parents. They might also clap, wave their hands, or even make a sound or two.
If your little one is ready to play, why not try out some of our activities for 0-3 months?
4. Baby rooting - puckering lips or sucking on hands
If you鈥檙e touching my face and I keep turning towards your hand to suck on your fingers, it could be a sign that I鈥檓 hungry.
Looking for a food source with their mouth, often called rooting, is a natural thing for your baby to do when hungry.
Hungry babies will often look to latch on to parents鈥 fingers, hands, noses, necklaces and clothes whenever any of these come near to their faces.
5. When babies turn away
If I鈥檓 turning my head away from yours in the middle of playtime, or trying to duck out and crawl off, maybe it鈥檚 time to stop!
When they鈥檙e really enjoying an activity, babies will stare at you with wide eyes. But when they鈥檙e overstimulated or have just had enough of something, they might tell you by looking or crawling away.
If your baby is crying, they might be trying to tell you lots of different things. Why not check out our article on the 8 reasons your baby might be crying.
Article produced with help from Sheena Flack, an NHS Speech and Language Therapist based in Dundee.
