If there is one truly challenging task when it comes to caring for babies, it’s figuring out what they want and why they are crying. For everyone, crying is considered a baby’s way of communicating before they can talk, ask, or request what they want—or so it was believed. Australian Priscila Dunstan created the Dunstan Method, showing that this isn’t quite the case. Which mother, especially first-time moms, hasn’t panicked after giving the baby a bath, changing the diaper, feeding the baby, and then having the baby cry relentlessly for long minutes without discovering what is wrong? Then you breastfeed again, check the diaper, see if the clothes are too tight, feed again (moms always think the baby is hungry), and nothing works! Is it colic or is it sleepiness? My God, what’s going on? And the famous phrase “why don’t babies come with an instruction manual?”
How to Find Out What Your Baby Is Asking For?
According to the Australian, it is indeed possible to recognize babies’ signals and learn what they want or what is going on. The Dunstan Method applies to babies from 0 to 3 months old and communication is possible through the natural reflex sounds they make. This practice enables moms and dads to understand and listen to the language of newborns, quickly calming them by meeting exactly what they need. Using her sharp and sensitive hearing, Priscila Dunstan was able to pick up five different sounds her son made when he needed something. At first, she thought this was simply a strong bond between mother and child that allowed her to communicate with such a young baby. However, one day at the supermarket, she witnessed another mother with her baby and noticed that the baby made the same sounds as her own child. This was the tipping point to start her research, and with the help of more than a thousand babies from around the world, the Dunstan Method was developed and its effectiveness proven. The Dunstan Method is very effective in helping parents care for their babies during the first trimester—a very stressful time when parents are still fully adapting to their new routine. The difficulty of interpreting what the baby wants without success can turn into a real ordeal, and with endless crying spells, this can lead to low self-esteem, a sense of incompetence, and in some cases even depression from feeling “unable to cope.” Problems and misunderstandings between couples are also common due to all this stress. The method not only focuses on calming the baby and discovering what they want when crying, but also on identifying their needs before the crying begins. That’s why it’s considered a pre-cry tool where you can spot what your baby needs before it turns into a sobbing spectacle.
How Does the Dunstan Method Work?
It may seem almost impossible to identify what babies need just by signals, but through numerous demonstrations of this research it is clear that it is possible—and not at all a monstrous task. All it takes is the willingness and a careful ear to listen to the sounds.
Hunger cry
For many moms, any cry means hunger, but that’s not always the case. How can you really tell? According to the method, the characteristic hunger cry happens when the baby cries by pressing their tongue against the roof of the mouth, based on the sucking reflex, producing a “neh” sound.
Gas cry
When a baby has gas, they compress the chest cavity and cry as if trying to push something out, making an “eh” sound. Besides sounds, it’s important to observe body signals as well.
Discomfort cry
When uncomfortable with their position, tight clothing, or especially a dirty diaper, the baby makes a sound similar to “heh,” which comes as a complaint and is drawn out.
Sleep cry
Sleepy crying usually comes with the mouth shaped like an oval, as if yawning, producing an “Owh” sound.
Colic cry
The colic cry is usually more irritated and higher-pitched, filled with distress, and its distinctive sound is “eairh.” Visibly more whiny and intense.
IMPORTANT: When parents are able to understand this Dunstan Method language and respond appropriately to their babies in the first trimester after each signal, it’s common for the communication between mom, dad, and baby to become even clearer and more direct.
Even as the sounds change with the passing months, babies continue to use the same language, since they know their parents now understand them. It is important to stay calm and pay attention to your baby’s sounds along with their facial and body expressions. It may seem very difficult in practice, but it’s just a matter of training and paying attention to details. The language will become a unique form of communication between your baby and you, and everything will become easier—believe it! Also see: Speech Development in Babies and Children Photos: Tatiana Vdb, Ben_KerckxBe
