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Decoding Baby Talk
Baby Talk Words
To help you get started here’s a quick overview of the five words your newborn will say, what they mean, and how to react:
1. Neh: “I’m hungry.”
When your baby is hungry, she will say neh or nah. “You are looking for the n part of the sound,” says Dunstan. As with all words, neh is easiest to hear when your baby is in the pre-cry phase before she starts screaming. As soon as your infant begins to cry, listen for the neh sound to determine if she needs to be fed.
2. Owh: “I’m tired.”
This sound is created when sound is added to the yawn reflex. Your baby’s mouth will also be oval shape while they are saying: “owh.” This means it’s bedtime.
3. Eh: “I need to be burped.” (Upper wind)
This sound is produced when muscles in the infant’s chest tighten and sound is added. Start burping your infant whenever you hear “eh.” You will know when to stop burping her because she will stop saying “eh.”
4. Eairh: “Give me some relief.” (Lower wind)
If you respond to “eh” whenever you hear it, your baby will never have lower wind gas. If you do hear “eairh”, you can offer relief using massage.
5. Heh: “I’m uncomfortable.”
This could mean that your baby is hot, cold or needs to change positions. Do what you can to make her feel at ease.
