Baby monitors of the future could translate infant cries, so that parents will know for certain whether their child is sleepy, hungry, needing a change or in pain. Japanese researchers have published a paper detailing their design for a statistical computer program that can analyze a baby's crying in the International Journal of Biometrics.
Studies done over the years have found that the pitch and frequency of a baby's cry can indicate a health problem. For example, a noisy, broken sounding cry can signal Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). A low cry with short utterances can suggest respiratory problems, increased tension or instability of neural control.
This is amazing, life saving technology. But I wonder if it will change they way we parent. I hope we don't lose the importance of also incorporating body language and non verbal cues of communication. But on the other hand, it could be a win-win, as Julien from Halfbakery says, if the translation of an infant's cry informs us that "Rock-a-bye baby sounds better in the key of C or that peas and carrots are not a winning combination".
Wang, X., Nagashima, T., Fukuta, K., Okada, Y., Sawai, M., Tanaka, H., & Uozumi, T. (2010). Statistical method for classifying cries of baby based on pattern recognition of power spectrum International Journal of Biometrics, 2 (2) DOI: 10.1504/IJBM.2010.031791
11 comments:
It's a good idea, but as you said, I hope non-verbal communication isn't lost.
Let me be the first to say this reminds me of a classic Simpsons episode, too. :-)
I saw that Simpsons one and the baby research reminded me of it as well. Great minds think alike!
Good evening:
Dr. Deb - you have a very good sight with interesting information. I did not see an email, so I am posting this under comments and I hope you don't mind. By way of introduction, my name is Stephanie Jewett, RN, MBA from Iowa (US) and I have started a nursing blog (about 6 weeks ago). I have had several years of psychiatric nursing and often post insights regarding mental health issues. My blog addresses 30+ years of nursing experience and knowledge in other various subjects to share with colleagues, students, moms, caregivers, patients and the general public. I have been searching on the internet for interesting blogs that I admire and are related to nursing or medicine. I found your great site and wondered if we could exchange links? I’m trying to build my traffic through other colleagues. Please take time to visit my site and let me know what you think. Thanks so much for your time, Stephanie
www.nursingcomments.com
For some reason this scares me....I think we are losing touch with human-ness in so many ways and now with our babies we need a gizmo to tell us how they are feeling? I don't know...I loved being a mom to a newborn, as tiring as it is, its also what forms that super strong bond. I probably would have given up on my son last year if it weren't for the intense love I have for him, cause I sure as heck did not LIKE him at all. Today I love and like him and am proud of him.
Hi Dr Deb,
I find that frightening! As a psychiatrist and new mum, I was dismayed enough by the books and CDs which claim to decipher babies' cries (eg a 'meh' means nappy needs changed).
There is no doubt that a mother learns her child's cries but I do not believe there is a universal language. I can tell if my baby is tired, but I don't think I go on only her cry, it is also my intuition and her non verbal cues.
Although it does sound like this is looking more at pathological, physical causes of crying which could be a different issue...
I'm all for new technology that can help new moms with their babies. However, the old standby's and advice which are often handed down from mother to daughter are invaluable as well.
Sadly, I do think some parents need this .. which of course, worries me. In the case of SIDS, however, it could be lifesaving, as you say.
Hmmmm....how many gadgets do you think it will take before we humans lose all intuition and internal processing skills. Listen to your baby. Learns its sounds. I say don't be so detached that you need a device to tell you what your baby is wanting.
Interesting though Deb. Hope you are well.
I’m writing to suggest the addition of www.allpsychologycareers.com as a psychology career resource on your website. This website has licensing information, career information, and psychology field articles that dive into the fundamentals of each area.
Hope this is helpful,
Seth Sanford
Thats interesting
I love technology but worry that we lose our humanity with it sometimes!
Post a Comment