The Five “Words” That Babies Use

Every newborn communicates from birth to 3 months using 5 distinct sounds that signal hunger, tiredness, need to burp, lower wind/gas and discomfort. This is regardless of the language their parents speak. It is not a learned language. Rather, it is a natural way for every baby to express their physical needs.

This is important information for all new parents to know–how to tune your ear to the 5 ‘words’ of your baby’s pre-cry, so you can immediately understand and address her needs, before the tears become uncontrollable.

The ‘words’ that form the basis of what is known as the Dunstan Baby Language, are sounds that are based on baby’s physical responses, her reflexes. For example, when a baby is hungry it will start to suck, and as sound is added to the reflex, the ‘word’ for hunger is produced. These are the baby’s first communications, which occur before actual crying develops. The sooner the ‘word’ for hunger is identified the sooner a parent can respond by feeding, resulting in less crying and less discomfort for baby – and for parents.

It was eight years of research that revealed this system of sounds – the language that is shared by all babies. To learn more, watch this:

Next semester in our Village classes, we are going to put this knowledge to the test! Join us  with your baby, newborn to 17 months to learn to recognize and act upon your baby’s needs  and development through music.

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