They might not use words to say what they want, but babies certainly have their own way of telling you what’s going on. Apart from the more obvious tricks for summoning attention, such as numerous styles of crying (initially), adorable smiling (a couple of months in) and curious incomprehensible chatter (around five months and on), babies speak with their bodies.

• Babies use body language to tell you what they want.

• Watching what your baby does and how she responds to what you do will help you understand her body language.

• Speaking quietly and using lots of facial expressions helps your baby communicate with you.

Learning your baby’s body language is about getting to know your baby. Of course you’ll be spending lots of time holding your baby as you perform all the practical tasks of care. But the key to understanding is really watching everything your baby does.

Look at all the parts of your baby’s body. Look at the way her feet kick, hands clasp and expressions move across her face. Watch how your baby moves her limbs to see which things cause distress or startle her – sun in her eyes, the cat running past or a loud noise from the street – and which ones calm and reassure her. Babies as young as eight weeks old can tell the difference between people and have a different physical response to each, depending on their relationship with the baby.

Watch how she responds to your communication and touch, and learn what comforts her. As your baby grows and begins to smile, return smiles as much as possible.

Learn to recognize her various states of consciousness – wide awake and alert, crying, fussy, different sleep stages. Eventually you will become familiar with these and able to predict your baby’s patterns. You'll also learn to understand what she’s saying to you. The way you respond to your baby – whether you put her to sleep when she’s looking overtired or feed her when she’s hungry – can help settle her into a routine. It is easier to build a routine if you do things in the same way.

Alert babies are more interested in communicating. If you talk to your baby quietly and rhythmically and use lots of facial expressions, she can watch what you’re doing and slowly get used to the idea that she can communicate with you, and you with her.

Learn to tell when your baby is tired. Watch for droopy eyelids and slow blinking, stiff and jerky movements, whining and irritability (younger babies) and being wound-up, crankiness or moodiness, eye rubbing and clinginess (older babies). Read more about signs of tiredness.

Before your baby learns to talk, she will start experimenting with sounds – anything that can get a response! This includes sneezing, coughing, gagging and squealing. Later, vowel sounds begin. These noises are attempts to engage your attention. The way you respond, however silly, will help your baby learn to communicate.