Transcript: The #1 Mistake Parents Make When Responding to Newborn Crying Sounds – Do You?

This is a text transcript from The First Time Mum’s Chat podcast. The episode is called The #1 Mistake Parents Make When Responding to Newborn Crying Sounds – Do You? and you can click on the link to view the full episode page, listen to the episode and view the show notes.

Hi, I’m Helen Thompson, host of First Time Mum’s Chat, where I help you navigate the early days of motherhood with confidence. As a child care educator and baby massage instructor, I’m here to share practical, nurturing advice to help you connect with your baby, because understanding your little one’s cues can make all the difference.

Have you ever found yourself staring at your crying baby, wondering what do you need? Well, you’re not alone. This episode kicks off an exciting new series where we dive into the secret language of your baby’s cries. Imagine if you could recognise the difference between a hungry cry, a tired cry, a cry that means, mum help me, I’m uncomfortable, without the guesswork.

I’ll walk you through how to decode your baby’s cries with real examples so you can feel more confident responding to their needs. You’ll even hear the fascinating way that it sounds like. If you’ve ever wondered, am I missing my baby’s signals well this episode is for you. By the end you’ll have a powerful tool to build trust, strengthen your bond and make those tough moments a little easier. So let’s get started.

Crying is how babies talk to us, and while it can feel overwhelming at times, it’s actually an incredible opportunity to connect with and teach your little one. I’m passionate about understanding how babies communicate and why it’s so important to respond to their cues with empathy and care. More than that, I believe we should talk to our babies like little adults.

After all, we’re teaching them how to make sense of the world and understand their own stories as they grow. Letting children express themselves from the very start is one of the greatest gifts we can give them. It helps them develop into confident, Independent adults who understand and value their emotions.

So, let’s start with why babies cry and what it means. So, let’s start with the basics. Why do babies cry? Well, crying is their primary way of saying, Hey mum, hey dad, I need something. It could be food, it could be comfort, or it could be a clean nappy, or it could be that they want to burp, or it could mean that they’re just plain tired or they just need to know you’re there. The beauty of crying is that it’s not just noise, it’s communication.

Over time, you’ll notice that different cries have different sounds and patterns and are often paired with cues that can help you understand what your baby needs.

Are you feeling unsure or overwhelmed as you navigate life as a new mum? Or maybe you’ve discovered a trick that’s made your journey easier and you’d love to share it with others. I’d love to hear your questions, thoughts or even those precious parenting wins you’ve had. Head over to MyBabyMassage.net/message,MyBabyMassage.net/message and leave me a quick voice message. It’s as easy as chatting with a friend. I personally listen to every message and yours could even be featured in an upcoming episode to help other mums just like you. So take a moment and share your story. You never know who you might inspire.

Here are some common types of cries and what they might mean. Hunger, a rhythmatic cry that builds to intensity. You might also notice rooting or sucking motion.

Tiredness, a softer nasal cry that might stop and start. This is often paired with rubbing eyes or slowing down. Discomfort, a sharp, high pitched cry, sometimes accompanied by squirming. or arching their back.

These cries are your baby’s way of reaching out to you saying, help me and every time you respond, you’re building trust and teaching them that their voice matters. Here is an audio clip of an example of the hungry cry and notice the rhythm. If you see your baby rooting or sucking on their hands, it’s a good cue to offer a feed.

Here’s the cry now. Did you hear that? Neh, neh, neh. Imagine you don’t have any teeth, and you put your tongue on the roof of your mouth again. Neh, neh, neh. So that was an example of a hungry cry.

Now here’s the tired cry. Now listen to this tired cry. It’s like a little, O, O, O. You might also notice your baby rubbing their eyes. This is your sign to start winding down for a nap. If you imagine, when you’re yawning, you go, uh. That’s their tired cry.

The discomfort cry is a sharp, high pitched cry, and here’s a discomfort cry, that’s uh, uh, uh. It’s often paired with squirming or arching their back. This is when you check for a wet nappy or gas pains and respond quickly.

There’s also another discomfort cry that you might hear, and it’s when their lower abdomen is really, really tight, and they’re trying to release all that pressure in their abdomen. It could be because they’re constipated, or their tummy just feels really, really full, and they need to let that gas out.

So listen to that cry. One of the most important things we can do as parents is respond to our baby’s cries with empathy and understanding. It’s not just about solving the immediate issue. It’s about showing your baby that their voice matters. That’s why I gave you an example of the hunger, tired and the discomfort cries.

In fact, in a previous episode of First Time Mum’s Chat, I talked about decoding baby’s cries and how to recognise different types of cries, including when your baby is overtired. In that episode, I also explored how the intensity of a cry can change, starting on a soft and subtle, almost like a gentle reminder.

If ignored, it quickly escalates into a more urgent, full blown wail. This is your baby’s way of saying, I’ve had enough and I’m really tired now, or I’m really hungry now. By that point, it’s often too late, which is why it is so important to catch these cries early.

Understanding the progression can make such a difference in helping your baby settle before they reach the overtired stage, or before they reach that stage where, Mom, please burp me or whatever it may be. If this is something you’d like to learn more about, or hear me dive deeper into, please let me know, I’d love to explore this topic further in future episodes.

You can also check out a YouTube video where Opera Winfrey and Priscilla Dunstan, who discovered all about the baby language. I’ll put that link into the show notes so you can listen to that as well.

This is why I believe in talking to babies like little adults. For example, if your baby is crying because they’re tired, you might say, I hear you’re feeling tired. Let’s get cozy and ready for sleep. This not only soothes your baby, but it also teaches them the language of emotions. By responding in this way, you’re helping your baby to identify and express their feelings, even at this early stage. Over time, this builds emotional resilience and helps them develop into adults who understand their own stories and emotions.

I’m a firm believer that children need to be encouraged to express themselves from the very start. When we push our own values or ignore their attempts to communicate, we miss an opportunity to help them grow into independent, self aware individuals. Instead, try to see every cry as a cue, as a chance to connect. For example, when your baby cries because they’re hungry, you can say, you’re telling me you’re hungry, let’s have some milk. When they’re tired, you might say, your body is saying it’s time to rest, let’s get comfy. By naming their feelings and needs, you’re giving them the tools to understand their emotions as they grow. You’re also fostering a sense of security and trust, which is so important for their development.

Understanding your baby’s cues isn’t just about meeting their needs. It’s about building a foundation of trust, empathy and communication that will serve them for the rest of their lives.

As we wrap up this episode of First Time Mum’s Chat, let’s quickly recap what we’ve explored today. We’ve delved into how to identify the different types of cries, hunger, tiredness and discomfort, and the importance of responding to. each with empathy. We discussed the significance of talking to your baby like a little adult, fostering early emotional intelligence and a strong parent child bond.

Your journey into motherhood is unique and I’m here to support you every step of the way. If you find today’s insights helpful, consider subscribing. Stay updated with our latest episodes by subscribing to First Time Mum’s Chat on your preferred podcast platform. Leaving a review. Your feedback helps us improve and reach more mums just like you. Share your thoughts and experiences, I’d love to hear them.

In our next episode, we’ll dive deeper into understanding your baby’s non verbal cues and early signs of discomfort and hunger. We’ll explore how recognizing these subtle signals can enhance your connection with your little one and make your parenting journey smoother.

You won’t want to miss it. Thank you for joining me today. Remember, every time you respond to your baby’s cues, you’re building trust and teaching them that their voice matters. Keep nurturing that connection, and I’ll see you in the next episode of First Time Mum’s Chat.