Deciphering the cries?

Hey guys,
I am just wondering how many out there can tell the difference between your babies different cries. I have the tired one and the hungry one sussed, and I think that I know the protest cry - but what does the emotional one sound like? I rarely let little one cry long enough to know.
My little one is very strong willed and I think quite sensitive to stimulation - she will cry very easily when handled by others or laid down when she wants to be picked up etc.

Anyone else totally clueless like me?

I'm asking because I took little one to a chiropractor today and she screamed all the way through - mainly because she was tired and was due a nap but she cried so hard that I began to wonder whether it was an emotional one. And following the appointment she slept straight away - like she'd exhausted herself. I was traumatised by that alone! Poor wee cherub!

Cheers
Sue x

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

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?

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

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.

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 :o)
Sue x

I'm a fellow sufferer Sue ;)

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

Thanks :o)
Sue x

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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!

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

I have the Dunstan BL DVD & it appears to be spot on. I've heard 4 of the 5 words now, and they are always accurate - especially burping! I get the Gassy word too, but find it really difficult to console because I'm really sure what I can do when the gas is working its way through.

Actually, I should clarify that I've watch about 50% of the DVD (the most important bits) yesterday through fits of tears & anxiety (and a haze of sleep deprivation) about being a bad mum. And at the 1am feed, it turned a simple 'burp me' cry into an easy fix, instead of an hour of holding a baby that I had no idea what he wanted (not to mention shooting down the gas/tummy pain that would come after a few hours if I didn't clear the burp).

But yes, if you have sussed out a few of your baby's cues, I think you're miles ahead of the game! So sit back & relax. :)

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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!

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:yeahthat:

I know my DD's tones but not exactly what they mean, if that makes sense. It's all trial and error! I watch the clock too so I know roughly how long between BF, solids and sleeps and I look out for tired signs. I had absolutely no idea what she wanted at 2 months so don't be hard on yourself hon! Like others have said, trust your instincts and you'll be surprised how well that works :)

I have days when I can understand Miss K really well, then there are days when I have no idea. I am bit of a clock watcher to, but I also think about how I feel about her cry.
EG. if she is hungry- my boobs tell me ; if she is distressed- I feel agitatited. I have been able to also use her body signals- but some babies are different.

I've just gone and put a hold on the Dunstan DVD at my library - although I have heard mixed reports about it, some saying it is spot on and others saying that they didn't think it was right for their babies.
Can't hurt to have a look!!!

Thanks guys
Sue xxxx

My little one definately does the 'neh' hungry sound. My DH can pick the difference between the gas (burp) and wind (lower tummy) noises, but i have difficulty- he generally has a better ear for sounds than me.

Well I got the Dunstan DVD from the library and I have to say it's spot on!!!! I have a MUCH happier baby on my hands because I respond to her faster, knowing what she wants rather than guessing and getting it wrong until we get there in the end!!! I wish I'd got this DVD when she was born!!!
Sue x

WOO! Glad you found it as useful as I have.

Even this morning, I knew that DS needed to burp after his Eh Eh - but as it wouldn't come up, I found he was able to get a couple of hours kip up-right in my arms. (The burp jiggled out later in the car. ;)) And I also discovered he HATES being in a wet nappy & quickly turns feeding into a squiggle-squirm session interrupted with lots of 'Heh'. Most heart-breaking is 'Eairh' & his scrinched up red face. I can't take the pain away for him - but at least I can cuddle him through it without tearing my hair out.

Yeah, it's amazing. I feel so empowered. DH was a bit sceptical the other day but when I tell him what each cry means, and then deal with it appropriately and she settles, he soon changed his mind!!! Now he asks me what each one is!

S xxxx