What is the Secret Language of Babies?

Priscilla Dunstan was born with an extraordinary gift: the ability to perceive and remember sounds with photographic precision. This talent allowed her to notice patterns in the sounds around her, and when she became a mother, she applied this skill to her baby's cries. She discovered that her son’s cries followed consistent patterns that corresponded to his needs. Even more remarkable, she realized these same sounds were made by babies all over the world!

Her groundbreaking discovery revealed that all babies aged 0–3 months have identical reflexes, leading to universal sounds that indicate their basic needs. These sounds are your baby’s way of communicating before crying escalates into full-blown wails.

The Key to Understanding Your Baby's Sounds

According to Dunstan, the secret to decoding your baby’s cries is listening closely to the sounds before they start crying intensely. Once the crying becomes more pronounced, the unique sounds can be harder to hear. By paying attention to these subtle cues early, you can respond to your baby’s needs more effectively.

The Five Universal Sounds

Here are the five sounds that make up the secret language of babies, as identified by Dunstan:

Neh – "I’m hungry!"
This sound is produced by the sucking reflex as the tongue moves to the roof of the mouth. When you hear "Neh," it’s time to feed your baby.

Owh – "I’m tired!"
This sound is made as part of a yawning reflex. It’s your baby’s way of telling you they’re ready for a nap or bedtime.

Heh – "Something feels uncomfortable!"
When your baby feels discomfort—like a wet diaper, being too hot or cold, or itchy clothes—they’ll make the sound "Heh." Check for anything that might be bothering them.

Eairh – "I have a stomach ache!"
This sound is linked to lower abdominal discomfort, often caused by gas or digestion issues. The sound may be strained and guttural.

Eh – "I need to burp!"
When your baby needs help releasing trapped air, you’ll hear the "Eh" sound. This reflex sound comes as the baby tries to push air out of their chest.

How to Use the Secret Language

Learning to recognize these sounds can feel like unlocking a hidden superpower. Once you understand what your baby is trying to say, you can respond more quickly, helping to soothe them and avoid unnecessary frustration for both of you.

Ready to Get Started?

Watch a short video about Priscilla Dunstan’s discovery and start learning how to decode your baby’s secret language. With a little practice, you’ll become fluent in understanding your newborn, making the early days of parenting smoother and more rewarding.

TIP! Want to establish better routines for your newborn? With the BabyNaps app, you’ll get guidance on when the next nap should be (so your baby avoids becoming overtired = cranky and harder to settle!). You’ll also keep track of the last time you fed or changed your baby. When your baby turns three months old, the app creates a personalized sleep schedule to make your days smoother and more enjoyable.