Babies cry for many reasons, just like all other human beings; however, understanding their cry is more complex, because they cannot speak and explain what they want. The cries of babies have been the subject of scientific study: a very valid method is that of Dunstan (which was also discussed at the American show by Oprah Whinfrey). Read on to learn how to decipher your baby's cry.
Steps
Step 1. Listen carefully to the sound the baby makes
Instead of generalizing and interpreting screaming as a symptom of unhappiness, think of screaming as the method that little ones use to communicate with you, similar to a limited vocabulary. Here are some of the sounds you will hear and what they mean.
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"Nah" or "neh": listen carefully to the "n" at the beginning of the sounds, because without it, the meaning can be different. When a baby starts crying with "neh" or "nah", he is trying to communicate that he is hungry. Remember if you have fed your baby at the usual time and, if so, give him the baby food right away.
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"Owh": This sound is more like a yawn than a cry. The baby's face also shows signs of tiredness or sleep. Put the baby in a place where he can sleep peacefully and undisturbed.
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"Eh": Usually the baby makes the "eh" sound repeatedly after a meal because the muscles in his chest contract. Lightly tap the baby's back to help him burp and relax the muscles.
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"Erh": If the baby hasn't burped, the "eh" sound may change to "erh". This crying indicates that the baby's stomach muscles have contracted due to the gas inside. It is advisable to try to make him burp as soon as possible.
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"Heh": When a child is annoyed, it makes a very high-pitched scream, like the sound "heh". Try to find out the cause of the discomfort right away, which can be a wet diaper or too hot (or cold) room temperature. Remove the cause of the discomfort to make him stop crying.
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Step 2. Trust your maternal instincts
Babies try to develop a unique language to express their needs to the mother. Thanks to this early behavior, many mothers are able to interact with their baby in a much more precise way than the Dunstan Method.
Step 3. Stay calm
It is natural for some babies to cry more than others, and while it is a cause for concern for parents, it is best not to panic. Think of crying as a means the baby uses to communicate, and don't interpret it as a moan or a way to be annoying.
Step 4. If the baby continues to cry and you cannot understand why, check that all his basic needs have been met
Make sure the nappy is clean and the baby is being fed at the right times. Also try to change its position.
Advice
- The tone of a baby's crying often indicates the urgency of his needs. If the baby is crying very loudly, the mother must immediately pay attention to him.
- You can also search online for videos showing children's crying interpretations to learn more about each sound. Try typing "How to interpret a baby's cry" on YouTube or Google.
