Dunstan Baby Language DVD

Satya — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 16:01:00 GMT

This two-disc DVD set, full of fascinating and useful information about the Dunstan Baby Language, is presented in an informal and low-tech format, perfect for teaching new parents how to evaluate their baby’s different cries to determine his or her needs.

Dunstan Baby Language founder Priscilla Dunstan was inspired to better understand her son Thomas’s various cries when he was a colicky baby. She began recording his cries, discovered patterns and successful settling methods and wanted to share her discovery with other parents. She found that every newborn uses five distinct sounds that signal hunger, tiredness, need to burp, lower wind/gas and discomfort. For example, the sucking reflex makes a sound of “neh,” meaning the baby is hungry. The videos provide plenty of examples of the sounds babies make from many different infants, making recognizing them in your own infant easy.

The videos are filled with testimonies from mothers who were amazed at how well they could suddenly understand their baby’s needs based on their cries. The second disc features a group of women using the Dunstan Baby Language with their babies to demonstrate how easy it is to learn and use. The Dunstan technique seems very effective but may take some time to understand the mixed signals some babies send; however Priscilla provides easy tips on how to decipher these mixed sounds. In addition to the technique, Priscilla also gives lessons on methods of burping, feeding, holding and more.

This is a great DVD for a rental; however, because the Dunstan language consists of just a few “words” you may find you only refer back to the DVD for Priscilla’s helpful lessons. Pick up a copy here.

Sign With Your Baby: How to Communicate With Infants Before They Can Speak

Madelyn8278 — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 14:12:00 GMT

Here’s a book that offers more than just a good read.

The discovery that babies as young as seven months old can understand sign language much earlier than spoken language was the inspiration for Joseph Garcia’s book “Sign With Your Baby,” which offers new moms and dads an effective way to communicate with their children before they can speak.

Using anecdotes, illustrations, practical guidelines and humor, Garcia teaches parents how to use simple sign language gestures to communicate with their babies during the pre-speech phase by recognizing when their children are receptive to learning signs, recommending which signs to teach first and sharing ideas for games to help make the learning process fun.

One of the things readers appreciate most about “Sign With Your Baby” is that Garcia advocates the use of American Sign Language (ASL). While other baby sign language books encourage parents to make up “easier” signs as they go along, babies who learn to sign using ASL are developing a skill they can use well into the future.

As one mother put it, “‘Sign With Your Baby’ is a godsend to frustrated infants and their parents everywhere.”

Get yourself a copy here.

mommymedia : communication

Dunstan Baby Language DVD

Sign With Your Baby: How to Communicate With Infants Before They Can Speak