The 5 Cries & The 5 S’s
Newborn babies can only communicate through crying and it can be really hard to decipher what exactly they are telling us. Generally you can count on these cries to tell you one of five-ish things. I am hungry, I need to burp, I have gas, I am tired, or I am uncomfy. Each of these cries have some variation to them. All babies are different but as you spend more time getting to know them you will start to differentiate the cries.
-I am hungry! This cry is usually accompanied with some other cues to look out for- clenched fists, bobbing their heads, turning their face toward anything that touches their cheeks, and they might smack their lips. The cry can sound like “nyeh” and its intensity can go from 0-100 pretty quickly.
-I need to burp! This cue sounds like “eh”. It can sound more grunty than a cry and can worsen if baby is put down on their back.
-I have gas! Lower gas pain can sound like “eiarh” you might also notice them going red in the face, a tight belly, and it can also be rhythmic. This one can be particularly unsettling to hear. This cry can peak at about 5-8 weeks as their digestive system develops.
-I am tired! This is another cry that is usually accompanied by some other cues. Yawning, red eye area, and rubbing their eyes. It sounds like “owh” and doesn’t necessarily start as a cry but more of a sound that builds. An overtired baby may cry with intensity that rivals the hunger cry.
-I am uncomfy! This can have a few variations but typically sounds like “heh” and is usually fairly mild and will stop and start but build if the cause of the discomfort is not addressed.
Forgive the dated Oprah clip but its super helpful to hear the examples.
Babies will cry for other illusive reasons too, but I have found that being able to identify even a few of these main 5 can make soothing baby much simpler. It may take awhile to hack it and that’s okay!
A note on Colic- Colic was determined by the 3-3-3 rule. Crying for more than 3 hours a day, for at least 3 days a week for 3 weeks. There is now a broader definition of the term- bouts of inconsolable crying for no apparent reason. Colic is not a diagnosis, it is a symptom of something else that is worth investigating. It may be oral function, feeding, sensitivities, medical issues, and many other things. While that may seem overwhelming, the good news is that understanding it is a symptom of something else means there are things you can do about it.
The 5 S’s is a method to help soothe a fussy baby. I have had much luck using this method for a tired/overstimulated baby. I definitely recommend giving it a shot.
Swaddle
Suck
Sway
Side/Stomach hold
Shushing
