A Guiding Hand for Families in NICU and Special Care Nurseries - Digital - Book - Page 44
Your baby and you
Traffic Lights and Baby
Behaviour
Baby behaviour (also known as ‘cues’) have
been described as traffic lights with your
baby’s responses telling you whether you
may need to stop, pause or continue your
caregiving.
Red Light Cues: Signs to stop. Your baby needs
comfort or help. Examples: gagging, turning red or pale, hiccuping, jerky
movements, stiff or limp muscle tone.
Yellow Light Cues: Signs your baby is beginning to tire or get upset. You
may need to pause, offer some comfort or a different form of support.
Examples: crying, yawning, frowning, looking away, sneezing or sighing.
Green Light Cues: Signs your baby is comfortable, content or alert.
Examples: your baby is looking at or around you, smiling, bright eyed and
smooth movements.
Behavioural cues change over time as your baby grows and they may
not always mean the same thing. It’s important to look at your baby and
consider their behaviour within the bigger
picture. Several cues occurring together
is more important than a single cue. Your
care team are there to guide you and
By learning to
help build your confidence as you learn
read your baby’s cues, about your baby’s individual needs.
you’ll be able to
provide your baby
with the care and
support they need
Life’s Little Treasures Foundation | Supporting Families of Premature & Sick Babies
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