Why is my baby crying?! Try this new gadget
On an early episode of the hit animated television show, The Simpsons, Homer’s half-brother (voiced by Danny DeVito) invents the world’s first baby translator, a machine that tells parents what a baby is thinking by analyzing its babble. Fast-forward ten years and a new product claims to do virtually the same thing. Well, almost.
On an early episode of the hit animated television show, The Simpsons, Homer’s half-brother (voiced by Danny DeVito) invents the world’s first baby translator, a machine that tells parents what a baby is thinking by analyzing its babble. Fast-forward 15 years and a new product claims to do virtually the same thing. Well, almost.
I recently received an email from a Sympatico MSN reader who asked about a gadget that can tell you why a baby is crying. It reminded me of something I played around with a couple of years back: the WhyCry.
The WhyCry baby analyzer is a handheld electronic monitor that allegedly identifies the reasons why a baby is crying. The integrated microphone picks up different pitches and within 20 seconds will digitally analyze the baby’s cry and display it as one of five reasons: hunger, boredom, discomfort, sleepiness or stress; one of the five faces on the front of this battery-powered unit will light up to offer a visual prognosis to parents, babysitters and other caregivers.
According to the company, the success rate is over 87 percent, or up to 98 percent when used in conjunction with the symptoms chart (included).
We put the WhyCry to the test with Nathan, an 11-week-old baby boy whose mother, Sharon Cohn, benefits from previous experience: two-and-a-half-year-old twins. As a third-time mom, Sharon felt she would be able to tell if the machine was accurate or not.
After seven days with the product, Sharon said the WhyCry was accurate in its assessment of her baby’s hunger cries, but thought 20 seconds was too long to wait for the results. "By this time, I already given my son his bottle – a mom needs to work fast, you know" says Sharon. "But I can see how first-time parents could benefit from this device if they’re unsure."
While she admits it’s more than just a "gimmick," Sharon says experienced moms would not have a use for this product. "If I received it as a gift, I’d probably return it."
The WhyCry retails for $82 and includes four AA alkaline batteries, a manual, instructional booklet and adjustable Velcro strap to fasten the unit to a stroller or crib.
Ridiculous? Ingenius? Both? Tell us what you think — whether you’ve actually tried (or own) this product or what you think of the concept.
I think this could help new parents. So a mother who has a lot of experience couldnt' wait the 20 seconds and so probably wouldn't new parents except if they knew that they were gonna be sure what was wrong. There are times when you don't know why they are crying and if the device said the baby just stressing out. Then the parent would know better to handle the situation and feel much better knowing that information. I say Go for it!!!
I think the WhyCry is a great idea. How long have parents wondered why their baby is crying. Sometimes, no matter what you do, baby won't stop crying. This device may not be able to accurately determine every scenario but it may help rule out the obvious which may help save crucial time in case of any problems. Lets face it. We live in a world of technology. Like every new technical device, it will have its mistakes but is on the right track to developing into a better product. Pre-programmed electronic devices are smarter than we are. Nothing will ever replace Moms instincts(increasingly, Dads to)nor should we ever abandon them. Accept it for what it is. Remember when cell phones were a ridiculous idea? Although I don't support it, we live in a very fast paced society and a lot of Moms need to manage their time well. How many of you have felt angry or frustrated when you're in a hurry, all because you don't have enough time to properly determine what's wrong. I have and I would have done anything to avoid those situations. For me, 82 bucks is a small price to pay to assist me in becoming the best Dad in the world.
Happy Fathers Day.
You know, the mother might not need the monitor, but it could be quite useful for the babysitter…
Interesting product. Could a similar product be developed to tell me why my girlfriend is pouting/going silent/angry with me? I find I am unable to easily discern the patterns exibited unpredictably, and direct questioning almost never works.
A very good idea in well-warranted situations; a horrendously bad idea for unwarranted normal everyday situations, especially new parents whether mother or father. How else will you learn about and connect with your child. Relying on devices is not parenting. If technology in child-rearing is the first choice, reproducing should be the last choice. There is already far too little true consideration and connection with children from conception up through 18 years of age, as illustrated by our present state of society pursuing the almighty buck. Priorities are out of wack. Technology is wonderful and fun, and truly has its place in our world but not to aid and abet greed. Let this be your deciding question to acquire a WhyCry: can I afford one? … if your answer is an obstinate 'yes', then please think again, because you don't need 'it', your need is more focus on the child you brought into this world with at least the intent to love and nurture, with caring and instinct.
When a woman becomes a mom, she automatically develops maternal instincts. (Nature kicks in!) For the most part, those instincts prove to be right.
All new moms know the following instinctively;
Hunger means feed me! Run your baby finger near the baby's mouth. A reaction means hunger. Feed the child!
Boredom means the child wants to be creative. Let the baby play even if it means it keeps you up till all hours. This is a developmental stage that can be a big part of determining what the child will become as an adult.
Discomfort means crying! Check the diaper. Poopy or wet? Change it! Sheets need straightening? Straighten them!
Sleepiness means rocking. Rock your baby, sing to your child, tell a story, they love the drone of your voice and may even talk back; the end result is a good night's sleep for both the baby and you.
Stress means you're sweatin' the small stuff. Even a little baby can tell when that is happening. STOP SWEATIN' THE SMALL STUFF. Your baby will stop stressing too. The more relaxed you are, the more relaxed your baby will be.
While to some degree, it is a guessing game, the mom (or dad) will usually be able to figure out what her/his child needs. With experience and the addition of more children, the mom (or dad) can usually even identify and diagnose many symptoms;
cold,
flu,
virus,
ear infection,
strepthroat,
chicken pox,
tonsilectomy,
hives, etc.,
and can decide if a doctor is absolutely necessary or not. Sound familiar? This leads me to believe that the WhyCry device may not be absolutely necessary for a parent.
For most families these days, both mom and dad have to be employed just to provide for their children's needs and make ends meet. Therefore, both mom and dad will probaby share their time and committment to the children on an equal basis. How then, could we afford an $82.00 device that would tell us what we are already and instintively able to determine? In my opinion, being able to assist our children in realizing their dreams, teaching them right from wrong to the best of our abilities, and the natural bonding that will occur as a result for both mom and dad is priceless!
Though my response to this article sounds like an advise from Ann Landers (for those of us that remember her, lol) it is only intended to substantiate the fact that natural instincts actually do kick in for all first time moms and dads. As a single mom, this has been my experience.
A babysitter, on the other hand, is usually younger and has not had any children of their own. If this is the case, the WhyCry device may be a handy tool provided it is as reliable as the inventor claims. Maybe, spending some time alone with your partner could finally be just that! Time alone, NO PHONE CALLS FROM THE SITTER COMING IN! If that's the case, bring it on! I'll find the money!
There once was a woman on Oprah who said she had deciphered the secret language of babies. It was also broken down into five sounds that correspond to their needs: "neh"-hungry, "owh"-sleepy, "heh"-experiencing discomfort, "eair"-have lower gas, and "eh"-need to burp. She also has a video out, which may be useful to watch to learn how to pick out the baby's sounds. Then afterwards, you wouldn't need the video anymore and you'd be able to decipher your baby's cries on your own…without spending $82 on a device. There'd be one less thing to have to bring with you everywhere you go, you wouldn't have to continue to replace the batteries, etc. I do agree, however, that this WhyCry may come in handy for the babysitter, but how did babysitters handle it before this was invented?
I think it is a great stepping stone to a device that can decipher the goo-goo's and ga-ga's. Will be interesting to see what else this technology leads to.
I think parents need to stop relying on everything else and start to trust themselves. Don't pass your parental duties to a machine. Next we'll be looking for the robot to change the diapers. It just takes time and patience. Are we saying we don't have that 20 seconds to find out for ourselves what's wrong with our own child? What will happen when she's 2? 10? 16?
Trust your own instincts and the worse case scenario, call the Public Health nurse or your own mother/grandmother.
Save your money, put it towards your child's education.
-g
I thought this was a joke…
I had my son three years ago and I was very scared at first, but you know what, it doesn't take $100.00 device to tell you that your baby needs fed, changed, cuddled, or put down for a nap. These are the basics needs of a new born… And I have always used the old fashioned way of knowing if a baby needs it's diaper changed…my nose.
If you're not equipped enough to know why a baby might be crying, or at least equipped enough to investigate the matter on your own, then you shouldn't be having children or having anything to do with them, let alone buying devices to do the work for you.
Although I agree that if a person doesn't have the patience to understand their child they shouldn't be having a child in the first place, perhaps this device could reduce the number of cases of violence against infants. Sadly, the people who would abuse their child because it is crying are not the same people who would care or think to get this device, even though their CHILD is the one who would actually need it.
Although I agree that if a person doesn't have the patience to understand their child they shouldn't be having a child in the first place, perhaps this device could reduce the number of cases of violence against infants. Sadly, the people who would abuse their child because it is crying are not the same people who would care or think to get this device, even though their CHILD is the one who would actually need it.
Technology is useful in many ways…it becomes dangerous when used as a crutch. How much time do most of us spend fussing with devices trying to make them work correctly when that time could have be used to find a solution on our own (and learn something along the way)?
I personally think it's ridiculous for a mother (or father) to have to rely on a device to tell her (or him) what's wrong with her/his baby. People are rellying so much on technology that they can't survive without it (Y2K ring a bell?). Why would a child respect and listen to their parent if the parent couldn't handle the child as infant without technology to do the work for them? It may be a quick fix at the time, but it's best to get used to having to find out what's wrong with your kid when they're an infant because when they get older there won't be anything to tell the parent what's wrong with their kid.
I believe that every mom feels why her baby is crying much better then any gadget.
Maybe this device can be a useful thing for a new mom but still I think in particular there is no need of such a device which can exactly predict for why baby is crying.
It is more natural that baby cries if the baby is hungry or if the baby diaper is wet or at the most if the baby is alone for long time and baby wants someone near.
Yes if the baby is having habits of crying every often then I think no device or any technique works out at such situation.