Understanding Baby Talk: The Dunstan Baby Language
This article teaches new parents or expectant parents about Dunstan Baby Language, a set of universal baby sounds that can help parents understand and respond to the baby’s needs faster and with less crying.
As many first time parents can attest (myself included!), one of the most frustrating parts of early parenthood is wanting to help your crying, fussy baby but not knowing exactly what they need. Not knowing what to do to help my crying baby were some of my hardest moments as a first time mom. By learning to decode baby language sounds, you can meet their needs faster and with less crying. This creates a positive, caring bond with your baby and a more enjoyable early infancy experience for the whole family. Babies have a unique way of expressing their needs months and years before they can speak words. Among the many methods that parents explore, the Dunstan Baby Language stands out as a compelling approach to understanding and responding to an infant's signals. Read on to learn what Dunstan Baby Language is and how to apply it to help you have more confidence when caring for your baby.
Use the Dunstan Baby Language sounds to understand what your baby needs!
The Universal Dunstan Baby Language Sounds (and their meanings!)
Developed by Australian mom and former opera singer Priscilla Dunstan, the Dunstan Baby Language is grounded in the belief that newborns communicate through a set of universal sounds. Dunstan, drawing on her own experiences as a mother as well as her expert ability to decipher subtle vocal sounds from her profession, identified distinct sound patterns that correspond to different needs or states in infants. Her system gained popularity after she shared her findings on the Oprah Winfrey Show in 2006, and it has since helped parents around the world understand their baby’s needs.
According to Dunstan, there are five basic sounds that newborns make to communicate their needs. These sounds are not random but are thought to be instinctual and innate across cultures. They are the same for all babies, regardless of the language the parents speak (cool, right!?) . The reason they are common across all language, cultures, and geographies is that they are based on infant reflexes that are consistent for all babies. Understanding these sounds can empower parents to respond efficiently to their baby’s needs, resulting in happier babies and happier parents.
The key to learning decipher these baby language sounds is to listen to the sound the baby makes immediately before their cry. Not the cry itself, but the sound that happens just beforehand.
1. Neh - Hunger: The "neh" sound, according to Dunstan, is a signal that your baby is hungry. It is believed to mimic the sucking reflex, and if you listen closely, you may notice your baby making this sound when they are in need of milk. For me personally, this was the most powerful of all the sounds to learn. It’s no surprise to anyone that newborns eat frequently, so I used this knowledge 8 to 12 times a day—or more. This was also the first sound within Dunstan Baby Language that I mastered. It was a game-changer once I could reliably decipher it.
2. Owh - Sleepy: The "owh" sound indicates that your baby is feeling sleepy or tired. This sound is often accompanied by a yawn or other signs of drowsiness. Recognizing this cue can help you know that your baby is ready to go down to sleep. Putting your baby down when they are tired (but not overtired) makes it most likely that they will have quality sleep.
3. Heh - Discomfort (wet or dirty diaper, or general discomfort): When your baby is uncomfortable, perhaps due to a wet diaper or some other source of distress, they may make the "heh" sound. Paying attention to this signal can help you address your baby's discomfort promptly.
4. Eair - Lower gas: Babies often struggle with gas, and the "eair" sound is associated with lower digestive discomfort. If you hear this sound, it might be time to help your baby release gas through gentle patting or burping. This was an extremely helpful sound for me to learn.
5. Eh - Burp: The "eh" sound, distinct from the "eair" sound, indicates that your baby needs to burp. Ensuring your baby is comfortably burped can prevent discomfort caused by trapped air. Newborns need help from a caregiver to burp after a feeding to prevent this discomfort. Learning to hear this sound can help you know whether there is still trapped air.
using the Dunstan Baby Language:
The big “aha” for me was learning to hear these sounds and then being able to provide the exact care my baby needed. There was no more trying to feed my fussy baby when in reality she was crying because of hunger, not gas. There was no more having to try 6 different things, desperately hoping that one would bring relief. Once I learned to listen for the sound just before the cry, it took the mystery out of the newborn phase and helped me provide the responsive, loving care I wanted to give my babies. This knowledge made the newborn phase for my second, third, and fourth babies SO much easier than the first time around!
While Dunstan Baby Language has gained popularity in recent years due to how much it’s helped parents worldwide, it's important to approach it with a degree of flexibility and understanding. Every baby is unique, and individual variations in sounds can occur, particularly after the first few weeks of life. Dunstan Baby Language is most consistent for infants within their first three months of life while they still have their infant reflexes and before their exposure to language from caregivers has not significantly altered their vocalizations. As your baby grows, their communication methods will evolve as they lose some of their newborn reflexes and begin to learn the specific building blocks of the language of their family and environment.
Here are some practical tips for implementing Dunstan Baby Language:
1. Observe and Listen: Spend time observing your baby's sounds, with the most focus on the sound that baby makes right before they cry. Listening carefully to the subtle sound can help you identify patterns and respond appropriately. Once you learn to listen for this sound, you won’t be able to un-hear it, which is a great thing for you and for your baby.
2. Be Patient: Learning any new language takes time, and the same applies to Dunstan Baby Language. Be patient with yourself and your baby as you both adjust to this new form of communication. For me, although it took a little time and practice to listen for the sound just before the cry, I soon became very confident in applying this knowledge and was easily able to know what my baby needed. Like many things, practice makes perfect!
3. Stay Attuned to Other Cues: While the Dunstan Baby Language provides valuable insights, it's crucial to remain attuned to other cues your baby may give, such as facial expressions, body movements, and eye contact. If you’re wanting to learn to understand more about cues for hunger, gas, and tiredness, be sure to check out our full article on that topic here.
4. Adapt as Needed: Babies are unique individuals, and what works for one may not work for another. While the sounds are universal and reflexive through at least 3 months of age, you should adapt how you apply Dunstan Baby Language to your baby and their unique needs and vocalizations.
This universal baby language offers an intriguing and effective way to decode the mystery of infants. While it may take some learning and practice, many parents have found it to be a valuable tool in understanding and responding to their baby's needs. As you embark on the adventure of parenthood, consider incorporating the principles of Dunstan Baby Language into your caregiving routine. The key to successful communication lies in the blend of listening, observing, and responding with love and care.
Personally, I found Dunstan Baby Language plus learning to understand my baby’s cues an incredibly powerful combination. Baby cues for hunger, gas, and tiredness don’t focus on the vocalization before the cry, rather, they are signs, body language, movements, and behaviors that can give insight into baby’s needs. We have a full article all about baby cues here that I would highly recommend to any parent wanting to add to their arsenal of skills and ability to provide responsive, loving care to their baby. Knowing all about baby cues and Dunstan Baby Language have unleashed my mom superpowers, and I hope it does the same for you!