Keep a calm, age-appropriate response close at hand when a baby cries, grabs, drops objects or reaches for something unsafe. This baby behaviour poster gives parents, foster carers and early years practitioners clear reminders that babies are learning, communicating and relying on adults for safety and comfort.
Parents and carers are supported to respond to challenging baby behaviour with reassurance, safety and gentle guidance rather than punishment. The poster explains that infants do not yet understand rules and consequences in the way older children do, and need adults to show them what to do instead.
Six numbered messages cover key infant parenting advice: babies cannot be spoiled with love and comfort; crying, noise-making, grabbing and dropping are forms of communication; and safe exploration is part of normal development. It encourages adults to consider whether a baby may be hungry, tired, uncomfortable, overwhelmed or in need of closeness.
Practical behaviour guidance includes moving dangerous, breakable or unsuitable items out of reach, calmly redirecting a baby towards something safe, and repeating that redirection as often as needed. The poster also gives a direct safety message: never hit or shake a baby, as physical punishment does not teach a baby what to do and shaking can cause serious injury or death.
Suitable for new parents, kinship carers, foster carers, health visitors and nursery staff, this infant behaviour handout can be displayed at home, shared during parenting support sessions or used as a conversation prompt after a difficult day with a baby. It also normalises stepping away briefly after placing a baby safely in their cot when feelings become overwhelming, and seeking support from someone trusted.
