As a new mum wanting newborn baby photography, finding a Gold Coast photographer that understands the Dunstan baby language and specialises in newborn baby shoots can be overwhelming. I know how challenging it can be to capture the perfect shot, especially when you are a new parent and still learning your baby’s vocal cues. Babies’ needs can change at a moment’s notice, making it difficult to understand what they need. Are they tired? Perhaps they’re hungry? Maybe they’ve got gas. That’s why I was thrilled to discover Dunstan Baby Language and how it is a game changer, not just for parents but newborn photographers. Gold Coast mums, I’ve particularly noticed the difference understanding Dunstan baby language makes in creating beautiful images.
The development of Dunstan baby language
Developed by Australian mother Priscilla Dunstan, Dunstan Baby Language is a method of interpreting a baby’s cries and vocalisations to determine their needs. Dunstan noticed that her own baby’s cries were different depending on what he needed, and after careful observation and analysis, she identified five distinct sounds that corresponded to five different needs:
- “Neh” for hunger,
- “Owh” for tiredness,
- “Eh” for burping,
- “Eairh” for gas,
- “Heh” for discomfort.
Since its development in the early 2000s, Dunstan Baby Language has become increasingly popular among new parents and caregivers. It’s even been featured on popular TV shows like Oprah and The Today Show, and many hospitals and birthing centres now offer classes to teach parents how to recognise and respond to their baby’s needs using this method.
How Wild River Photography applies the Dunstan Baby Language to Newborn Photography Shoots
As a photographer, I’ve found that understanding Dunstan Baby Language has been a game-changer for my newborn baby shoots. By recognising and responding to a baby’s needs quickly and effectively, I’m able to create a more comfortable and relaxed environment that allows for better photos. Here are a few examples of how I’ve used Dunstan baby language in my photography sessions:
During a recent shoot, one of my babies started making the “neh” sound. I knew this meant they were hungry, so I paused the shoot to allow her mother to feed them. By taking a break and addressing the baby’s needs, we were able to continue the shoot with a happier and more cooperative baby.
In another session, I recognised the “owh” cry—a sign of tiredness—so I suggested we take a quick break to allow the baby to drift off to sleep. This not only allowed the baby to rest and recharge, but it also gave us the opportunity to capture some beautiful sleeping shots.
During another shoot, the baby started making the “eairh” sound. She had been particularly fussy, so I knew this meant she may be gassy and need burping. We took a quick break and the baby was burped and the shoot continued with a calmer and happier subject.
Choose a Gold Coast Photographer with Dunstan Baby Language skills
As a parent and a Gold Coast newborn photographer, I was constantly trying to understand my baby’s needs through their cries. It was a guessing game that often left me frustrated and exhausted. Dunstan Baby Language changed everything. By learning just five simple sounds, I was able to decode my client’s cries and respond to their needs quickly and effectively. It was like unlocking a secret code that allowed me to communicate with the little ones in my Coomera studio in a way that made sense to both of us.
Now, I can’t imagine navigating those early days without the help of Dunstan Baby Language. It’s been instrumental in streamlining my photo shoots and I highly recommend it to any new parent struggling to understand their baby’s cries. Trust me, the peace of mind, improved communication and beautiful newborn photos are worth it.
Don’t wait to book in your photography session – it’s a small investment that will pay off in big ways for you and your baby.
