Deciphering the cries?

[*Belle*]

I saw this on Oprah I found helpful. Dunstan baby language:

Words (sound reflexes)
According to Dunstan, the five universal words (or sound reflexes) used by infants are[3]:
NehI'm hungry - An infant uses the sound reflex "Neh" to communicate its hunger. The sound is produced when the sucking reflex is triggered, and the tongue is pushed up on the roof of the mouth.
OwhI'm sleepy - An infant uses the sound reflex "Owh" to communicate that they are tired. The sound is produced much like an audible yawn.
HehI'm experiencing discomfort - An infant uses the sound reflex "Heh" to communicate stress, discomfort, or perhaps that it needs a fresh diaper. The sound is produced by a response to a skin reflex, such as feeling sweat or itchiness in the bum.
EairhI have lower gas - An infant uses the sound reflex "Eairh" to communicate they have flatulence or an upset stomach. The sound is produced when trapped air from a belch that is unable to release and travels to the stomach where the muscles of the intestine tighten to force the air bubble out. Often, this sound will indicate that a bowel movement is in progress, and the infant will bend its knees, bringing the legs toward the torso. This leg movement assists in the ongoing process.
EhI have gas - An infant uses the sound reflex "Eh" to communicate that it needs to be burped. The sound is produced when a large bubble of trapped air is caught in the chest, and the reflex is trying to release this out of the mouth.


I mostly just noticed with my 2nd born that she did the Ehh wen she was uncomfy and Neh and waaaaahhh when hungry. Hope this helps

[Tanya]

One thing I remember is that they make these individual sounds only before they really start to cry, so if they are hysterical then the cry will always be the same. DOes that make sense?

[onthefly]

By the time you have it figured out she'll be talking
My theory - just do what feels right and don't stop to think too much.

[*Belle*]

honestly I responded to all her cries, and my first instinct was to change nappy and see if she wanted milk. If she didnt I would comfort her. I was demand feeding. Every bubs is different.

[MummaSue]

Hehe, Marcellus, you have ME sussed. I am thinking too much about EVERYTHING!!!!!

You're right though. Just need to calm the heck down and enjoy bubby and stop analysing everything hey?

Thanks )
Sue x

[onthefly]

I'm a fellow sufferer Sue

[SammyRo]

!

Just need to calm the heck down and enjoy bubby and stop analysing everything hey?

Thanks )
Sue x

I was notorious for analysing every little detail with DD - I think I drove my mum crazy. Its only with DS that I do it a bit less!


And as for the cries, I'm still pretty clueless as to what they mean! With both, I tend to clock watch more than interpret their cries and I find that better, although that wouldn't really help with the emotional crying. But then I'm another that will pick them up pretty quickly once they start crying. I'll try and few things and then if all else fails, its on the boob they go!

[Lenny]

I have no idea which cry is which, so I go breastfeed, burping/wind, nappy, cuddles, tired/sleep. That covers all bases!!

When I had my first son I thought all mothers were blissfully in tune with their babies and I was the only one playing the guessing game.

[turtleschell]

Oh don't get me started on deciphering cries. I have absolutely no idea. I just guess. I usually get it right quite quickly (thanks to maternal instinct, what would I do without you!)
But when it comes to overstimulation/too hot or cold/or any other less common things, I take ages and then feel so guilty after.
Don't guilt trip yourself. Your baby doesn't mind if you don't figure it out straight away or even at all. It's all part of being a baby, I'm quite sure they are somehow prepared for all this.

[Tuesday's Child]

A friend told me about Dunstan baby language when DD was only a few weeks old. Its spot on but it does only work before they really start to cry. DD was quite colicky and suffered from reflux and would escalate to emotional/distressed crying very rapidly. She started to settle more around 3-4 months and it's much easier to decipher her cries these days. Of course, we've gotten to know each other better too.

If I couldn't figure it out, I'd put her on the boob.

[MummaSue]

Phew!!!!
Thank goodness. I was beginning to think that I was the only mother who can't really hear the difference!
You guys rock!!!
Sue x

[Fig]

Sue, I tried to 'listen' to the cries with my first DD and could never work out.

You could also try listening to how YOU feel about the cry. If my babies cried and it distressed me, chances are they were distressed. It is so hard though, but eventually the two of you will work out your own communication, you probably already have for most things you just haven't realised it yet.