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Decoding Baby's Cries
Four years ago, just after the birth of our oldest daughter, I read somewhere that most mothers are able to tell what their babies want by the sound of their cries. I was awed -- and confounded -- as Phoebe's cries all sounded the same to me.
Turns out I wasn't alone. In studies analyzing the acoustics of crying, even pediatric nurses could not determine the cause of a cry based on how it sounded. "It's a myth that you can tell what's wrong by the sound of the cry," says Harvey Karp, MD, a pediatrician in Los Angeles and author of The Happiest Baby on the Block. "Babies are like smoke alarms: You can't tell if you burnt the toast or if the whole house is burning down."
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Well, compared the moms on here I must be the worst mother ever because I can't tell what my baby wants by the way he cries. I sometimes know why he's crying because it's nap time or feeding time. That's because I can tell time, not interpret crying.
4/11/2012 01:56:39 PM Report AbuseI totally disagree w/Dr. Karp. I have the DVD of Duntsen Baby Language & have utilized it w/2 newborns & it does work! I can listen to my baby's cries & know how to soothe him, if he's hungry or tired, or even just needs to burp.
8/6/2011 09:49:59 AM Report AbuseI have a baby girl by the name of Mikayla i can tell what cry is what it weird but its awsome.!!
4/27/2011 03:54:13 PM Report AbuseMy baby has several different cries and I can almost always tell what she wants by the way she is crying! Why would a pediatrician who doesn't know my baby be able to speak her language? That's just silly!!!
3/30/2011 05:28:07 PM Report Abusei believe that your bab understands you amoshions and feelings my daughter can she crys and i can totally tell what she needs
9/27/2010 11:24:37 AM Report Abuse