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You Can Communicate With Your Baby
Have you heard the theory that babies have their own language and you can learn it too? Priscilla Dunstan is the woman behind The Secret Language of Babies. On her Oprah segment she told the audience the 5 sounds a baby makes in order to communicate with you about their needs.
She says babies make these five sounds and though they can be a bit challenging to discern, you will be able to learn them and tell them apart easily.
How To Speak Baby Language
The “Neh” Sound
The first sound is “Neh”. With this sound, you are listening for the N part of the word. This sound means that your baby is hungry. The reason you hear the “N” at the beginning is because of your baby’s suckling reflex which creates an N sound. If you hear your baby sounding distressed and you can hear an N sound at the beginning, then your baby is telling you he or she is ready for milk.
The “Owh” Sound
The second sound is “Owh”, which means sleepy. The sound is created by a baby’s yawning reflex which results in an opening of the back of the throat. The throat opens like it does when we yawn and so the sound your baby makes will begin with an Owh sound. If you hear your baby make this sound, it’s time to help your baby to relax and take a nice nap.
The “Heh” Sound
The third sound Dunstan talks about is “Heh”. In this sound, you are listening to the H part of the word. This sound means discomfort. If you hear your baby needing your attention and she or he is making more of a Heh sound, then it might be time to change a diaper, reposition, adjust the temperature, etc.
The “Eh” Sound
The fourth sound is a little like the one before, except it’s a shorter sound. The sound is “Eh”. In this sound you are listening for the E part. This sound is made when babies need to burp, and the burp is in the upper part of their chest. If you hear short “Eh” sounds then it is time to tap your little love on the back to help the air get out.
The “Eair” Sound
The fifth sound is “Eair” and sounds like a groany version of “Air”. As you might be able to guess, this sound is made when your baby is working on a lower tummy issue like gas or poopies. It is the sound we all make when he have a little food or gas going on in our bellies and something will be happening soon down there.
Will the Dunstan Method Help You Learn How To Speak Baby Language?
When I watched the demonstration Dunstan did on Oprah with several moms and their newborns I was amazed to say the least. I wanted to try the method right away with my baby and learn the specific meaning behind my baby’s crying.
The easiest sound to differentiate, for me, was the “Neh” sound. I listened for it and sure enough, my baby was indeed hungry. As I listened for it and responded with milk right away, I could tell my baby was very pleased with the results of his message for me. I am also teaching my baby sign language so it’s great to be able to respond to his need so readily and then show him the sign for his request, as well as alternate words like “milk” or “baba”.
The “He” sound really comes out when my baby is ready to have his diaper changed and even came in handy to alert me to the fact that he was laying on his binky and it was pushing into his back. I heard him and right away responded to see what the matter was and because I knew it was the sound of discomfort I checked his positioning and diaper and then saw he was laying on his pacifier.
The “Eh” sound is a revelation for me because sometimes my son would have fits and wouldn’t take a bottle and I couldn’t figure out what the matter was even though I would try resolving the basics. I would ultimately realize he had a burp stuck and then after that he would want milk right away. Now that I know the “Eh” sound I go right the burping first before he starts getting too upset and now the burps come out so quickly and easily because he is more relaxed and my timing is better.
The “Owh” sound has allowed me to put him down for a nap much easier than ever before. I was so impressed with how well it worked that I’ve been using the sound as a way to find the best regular nap time for my baby and now he is on a wonderful napping schedule that is both good for him and for me!
The Dunstan Method Is A Winner
I’m absolutely thrilled with the improved communication I have with my baby and I know my baby is happy about it too. Give the method a try and see if you can differentiate the five sounds your baby makes to tell you what he or she needs.
You Can Read the Book By Priscilla Dunstan To Learn More
Dunstan’s book is called “Calm the Crying: The Secret Baby Language That Reveals the Hidden Meaning Behind an Infant’s Cry“.
She is also the author of “Child Sense“.
Watch the segment with Priscilla Dunstan on Oprah
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