Decoding cries & sounds

Decoding cries & sounds

Baby's gestures and expressions aren't the only things newbie moms and dads can look to when trying to figure out what baby wants. According to new theories, baby's cries may offer some big clues too. And while there's been a lot of controversy in recent years over whether or not a systematic "baby language" really does exist, as Australian mom (and creator of The Dunstan Baby Language) Priscilla Dunstan claims, these theories are not being completely ruled out by docs and researchers. If Dunstan's claims are true, baby makes five distinct sounds during that crucial newborn phase:

The sound: "Eh"
What it means: "I have gas" (make that an "Eairh" and that means lower gas)

The sound: "Owh"
What it means: "I'm sleepy"

The sound: "Neh"
What it means: "I'm hungry"

The sound: "Heh"
What it means: "I'm uncomfortable"

Just how legitimate are these claims? According to Gopnik, there isn't any scientific evidence out there to make them entirely official -- yet; but there is definitely evidence to suggest adults can recognize the difference between, for example, cries of hunger and of pain. Dr. Robert Titzer, an infant researcher and creator of the language development series "Your Baby Can Read!" agrees, adding that: "It's better to think of the Dunstan Baby Language system as a set of fairly universal words for babies, instead of thinking of it as a language where words are combined and used with more intention to communicate [as ours is]."

As for baby's (sometimes maddening) cries, they of course differ slightly with every baby -- but there are definitely some similarities all tots share. So the next time you're pulling your hair out trying to decode baby's cry, consult this list:

The cry: Rhythmic and repetitive
What it means: Baby's probably hungry -- especially if he's rooting around for mom's breast or sucking on his fingers.

The cry: A slow build-up of crying over several minutes
What it means: It's time for a nap -- your little guy's tuckered out.

The cry: Periodic soft whimpers
What it means: If this carries on for a while, baby's not feeling so good. It may be time to visit the doc.

The cry: Powerful screams
What it means: If baby's wailing at the top of his lungs for any prolonged period, it's time to consult your doc. It could be a variety of things, but the likely culprit? The dreaded colic.

The cry: Whiny and irritated
What it means: Your tot's fussing is probably because he's been overstimulated and getting stressed.

The sound: "Neh"
What it means: "I'm hungry"