Do young children feature heavily in your novel? Would some ideas on how to describe a baby in a story help you? Check out the words and examples we’ve included below.
1. Delightful
Definition
Something or someone very pleasant to be around.
Examples
“She peered down at the delightful baby and shed a tear; he was everything she’d ever dreamed of and more.”
“There was never a more delightful baby than her son, and she knew it.”
How it Adds Description
Babies are often associated with pure joy and goodness. If you want to emphasize how perfect your fictional babe is, the word “delightful” will convey your baby’s pleasant nature to the reader. The word “delightful” can also show the love and admiration other characters have for the baby — especially when used in their internal monologue.
2. Bonny
Definition
Something or someone nice to look at.
Examples
“She was a bonny baby, and the bright bow on her head cemented the fact.”
“The nursery was jam-packed with bonny babies, and she wished she could take a peek at their cuteness.”
How it Adds Description
Babies are well-known to be cute, and “bonny” is an adjective that highlights their innocence and cuteness. This word stems from Northern English and Scottish, but can be used for sweet babies in any context. “Bonny” can also reference a merry or happy personality, which can also apply to your fictional baby.
3. Fragile
Definition
Something or someone that’s weak and can’t survive alone.
Examples
“He cradled the fragile baby, and he knew in his gut he’d do anything to protect it.”
“Though she was fed well, the fragile baby still looked so tiny compared to the others.”
How it Adds Description
Babies rely on adults to care for them, and without assistance they’re “fragile”. This word highlights the vulnerability of babies, and it can be used to show just how small and young your fictional baby is. It can also highlight that they’re weaker than other babies, which foreshadows future issues or plot points.
4. Innocent
Definition
Someone of something with no knowledge or experience about the unpleasant or complex aspects of life.
Examples
“The innocent baby gurgled at his mother’s breast; all he knew was love and his mother wished he’d remain so pure.”
“She peeped at the innocent baby, and despite the troubles outside the sweet babe smiled up at her.”
How it Adds Description
The word “innocent” highlights how new babies are to the world. They’ve no concept of evil and don’t know the stresses of modern life. This adjective can be used to emphasize how sweet and pure your baby is, and it can contrast them in the future if they lose their innocence.
5. Petite
Definition
Someone small, dainty, or delicate.
Examples
“The petite baby made a lot of noise for someone so small.”
“You were a petite baby, and we often worried about losing you!”
How it Adds Description
If you want to give your reader an image of how tiny your fictional baby is, the word “petite” can help. This adjective signifies that your character is smaller than usual, and you can use this imagery to build up a sense of fondness for them.
6. Restless
Definition
Someone who’s dissatisfied, bored, or impatient.
Examples
“Gosh, that’s a restless baby! Will he ever be quiet?”
“He wished the restless baby would sleep through the night, or at least for a solid hour!”
How it Adds Description
Babies are cute and positive beings, but they also have the tendency to cry out and fuss when hungry, tired, or agitated. The word “restless” builds a realistic image of a baby for your story, and this will help your readers understand the parents’ lives better. It can also evoke pity, as “restless” signals that the baby’s parents may also be having a tough time.
7. Plump
Definition
Someone or something rounded or chubby.
Examples
“He cuddled the plump baby, and wished he’d be able to cradle the child for the rest of his life.”
“The plump baby looked up at him and cooed, after minutes they were thick as thieves.”
How it Adds Description
If you want to provide a physical description of your baby, the word “plump” is an appropriate word to use. This adjective signals that the baby is well fed, without negative connotations. “Plump” frequently refers to babies that are of a healthy weight and those with rounded ‘baby faces’, and it is a great way to show their cuteness to your audience.
8. Chirpy
Definition
Someone very lively, happy, or cheerful
Examples
“No one could deny that she was a chirpy baby, and her contagious laughter could be heard across the street.”
“He listened out for the chirpy baby, and his face lit up as soon as he heard the sweet babbling.”
How it Adds Description
The word “chirpy” is a popular adjective used to describe happy children or babies in novels. This word is often associated with babies who make lots of laughter or noise — ideal if you’re portraying a happy childhood in your story. This can also help to make your reader sympathetic to the baby, as they have a sweet image of the infant in their minds as they read.
9. Precious
Definition
Something or someone that’s valuable or rare.
Examples
“She held the precious baby close to her. This was a moment she’d never forget.”
“He gazed into the crib, and the precious baby met his gaze with an equally curious look.”
How it Adds Description
The word “precious” shows how special the baby in your story is. When used for humans/babies, “precious” doesn’t denote monetary value. Rather, it implies how important the character is, and it can highlight how those around the baby care for it.
10. Giggly
Definition
Someone who laughs a lot in a childlike manner.
Examples
“He put the giggly baby to bed, but he knew it wouldn’t sleep for hours to come.”
“You were a giggly baby; you found joy in almost everything and anything you saw!”
How it Adds Description
The word “giggly” shows that someone has a cheery disposition and is likely to start laughing a lot. This works well when describing babies, as babies often laugh at anything. The term can also show a character’s fondness for the baby when using it in their narrative, as “giggly” is a positive term.