Deciphering a baby’s cries down to experience, research finds

The research found that by the time a baby is two or three months old, most parents know what different cries mean. Photograph: narvikk/Getty Images

If the wails of your newborn baby leave you baffled as to what is wrong, just give it time. Deciphering a baby’s cries is all down to experience, new research suggests.

Being able to tell whether a baby is in pain is vital information for new parents and caregivers. But rather than being an innate skill adults can rely on, understanding the difference between cries of pain and mild discomfort comes with experience.