Dunstan Baby Language
Listen! Your newborn is trying to tell you something! Dunstan Baby Language is a breakthrough system that teaches parents and caregivers how to understand the meaning behind their babies’ cries. Parents know intuitively that a baby’s cry sounds different depending on the baby’s needs. But, until now, no one has taught specifically what to listen for in each cry so the meaning would be clear. The Dunstan system does just that! It works universally, regardless of language or cultural background, because the sounds newborn babies make are based on physical reflexes that are an inherent part of every baby, everywhere. The Dunstan system has validated five “words” which all newborns use to express their basic needs: hunger, tiredness, need to burp, discomfort and lower gas pain. Classes focus on tuning your ear to distinguish the differences in the sounds of these cries.
Knowledge gleaned from the Dunstan system greatly enhances parents’ confidence while producing a calmer baby whose needs are heard, recognized and quickly met. Central to Dunstan system is changing one’s perspective of how newborn crying is generally viewed. To see crying as meaningful communication, to believe that a newborn knows his/her needs and can express them, is a leap of faith for many. But it is also true that most recent studies in the capabilities of newborns are exciting, revealing and surprising!
In late 2006, Priscilla Dunstan, an Australian musician with a gift for sound appeared on the Oprah show to introduce her program to the United States audience and kick off sales of the Dunstan Baby Language DVD. In response to demand from the public, at the end of 2008, parent educators were trained so classes could be offered to supplement the information on the DVD. Classes consist of two 90-minute sessions. In the first session, parents learn about the background of the program and the differences to listen for in the cries that express hunger, tiredness and need to burp. Before the next session, parents are asked to watch the DVD (included with the class) with numerous examples of different babies making these sounds. When they return for session two, most attendees have numerous examples and amusing stories of having heard these sounds from their own babies or from newborns in places like grocery stores, on airplanes and at the doctor’s office. The cries expressing the needs related to discomfort and lower gas pain as well as settling techniques, discussions on feeding, sleeping and the value of keeping a baby journal are also covered in the second session. Feedback from classes includes statements like, “I feel my baby and I are much more in sync with each other,” and “This class changed our lives!”
Parents who learn the Dunstan system can expect to see numerous benefits such as:
- Baby will cry less and respond to settling techniques more readily
- Parents will be calmer, more confident and empowered
- Marital relations are less stressed
- Feeding results are better
- Babies sleep better and, therefore, so does everyone in the family
Independent studies conducted in the USA, Australia and the UK found significant positive impacts in a number of areas. The study on maternal self-esteem measured areas such as: how biosocial factors impacted a woman’s ability to adapt to motherhood, her caretaking ability, emotional readiness for becoming a parent, acceptance of baby, anticipated relationship between mother and baby as well as emotions associated with carrying and delivering the baby. Parents reported experiencing a reduction in household stress and the resulting positive impacts on partner relationships as an outcome of learning and implementing the Dunstan system. In addition to the studies already conducted, there is much to be learned about the potential of using the Dunstan System as an intervention method and prevention strategy for at-risk families.
Classes in Dunstan Baby Language are comprehensive, inclusive, information-packed and fun! This class is ideal for parents with babies under 12 weeks old and anyone who is expecting to care for a newborn baby. In addition to parents, grandparents, day care workers, older siblings, and adoptive parents are characteristic of those attending classes. According to many who have already attended, taking this class is one of the best things you can do to prepare for having a newborn in your life!
