Becoming a new mum has been a beautiful, overwhelming experience, and one of the things I’ve learned is that babies don’t just cry, they communicate. It is in fact the ONLY way they can communicate! I (and I’m sure like many of you) quickly realised that each cry could mean something different. That meant learning how to interpret those cries to nurture both my baby and myself and crack the code of baby crying!

The Cry: More Than Just Sound
In those early days, I found myself scrambling through a mental checklist every time my baby cried: Is he hungry? Does he need a nappy change? Is he tired? And, of course, the fear of him being in pain would always cross my mind. But what happens when those basics are checked, and the crying doesn’t stop?

There are so many reasons a baby might cry. These reasons can range from being bored or overstimulated to needing comfort or having trapped wind. Sometimes it’s about something as simple as being too hot or too cold. It can also signal something like colic, illness, or even just general discomfort. It can feel overwhelming, but as mums, we need to trust ourselves to figure it out.

That Heart-Wrenching Cry: The Pain Cry
The pain cry is one you’ll never forget once you hear it. The first time I heard my baby’s pain cry, I instinctively knew something was wrong. It’s distinct, a high-pitched shriek that cuts through you like a knife. It’s one of those moments that leaves your heart racing. You’ll know it when you hear it and trust me, you’ll never forget that feeling.

What About the Other Cries?
Once you get to know your baby, you’ll begin to notice that not all cries are the same. Babies are trying to tell you something, and if you listen closely, you’ll start to hear the differences. For me, tuning into my baby’s cries made me feel more connected and confident as a new mum. Plus helped me remedy the problem quicker!

• The Hunger Cry (“NEHHH”): When my baby is hungry, I hear a distinct “NEHHH” cry. It’s a sign that she’s ready for a feed. This cry is often accompanied by the typical suckling motions he makes when he’s hungry. If you hear this sound, it’s time for a snack!
• The Sleepy Cry (“MEHHH”): If your baby is overtired or in need of a nap, you’ll likely hear a “MEHHH” cry. Watch for signs like glazed eyes, rubbing their face, or yawning—these are sleepy cues! Once I recognised this, I could help him fall asleep faster by setting a calm, soothing environment.
• The Wind or Burp Cry (“EHH”): A short, sharp cry of “EHH” could indicate that your baby needs to burp or has trapped wind. This was a game changer for me! A few gentle burps, and the fussiness was gone.
• The Discomfort Cry (“HEHH”): If my baby is too hot, too cold, or uncomfortable in her nappy, she lets me know with a “HEHH” cry. This was the easiest one for me to fix—just adjust her clothes or check her nappy, and she would calm down almost instantly.

The Power of Trusting Yourself
The more you tune into your baby’s cries, the easier it will be to understand what they need. You’ve got those instincts for a reason, and when you trust them, you’ll feel more confident as a mum. I’ve found that the more I listened to my baby, the better I became at knowing what he needed and that helped me feel more in control.

What Worked for Us
Every baby is different, and what worked for me may not work for everyone. But tuning into my baby’s cries and responding to his needs as best I could helped me nurture him and myself! I learned to be patient, trust my instincts, and remember that I’m doing great, even when things felt tough!

Parenting is a process and figuring out what each cry means is just one part of it. With time, you’ll find your rhythm and before you know it, those cries won’t feel as overwhelming. You’ve got this!

What works for one baby, may not work for another baby, but this is what worked for us!

Through Baby & You Nurture, I support parents in navigating these early years with compassion and understanding.

Because parenting is hard enough without feeling like you’re doing it wrong.

Support for Parents in the Early Years

The early years of parenting can bring huge joy but also uncertainty and emotional overwhelm.

Through Baby & You Nurture, I offer therapeutic coaching and emotional support for parents during pregnancy and the first three years of their child’s life.

My approach combines:

• Pesso Boyden (PBSP) therapy principles
• NLP coaching
• My own experience navigating life as a first-time mum

Because when parents feel supported, babies feel safe too.