While no one has created a baby-cry/English dictionary, the pitch and rhythm of your baby's cry can provide a clue as to where to begin to look for the problem.

• Tired — A whimper or somewhat musical cry, it can be irregular, sometimes accompanied by eye or cheek rubbing. You might think he fell asleep because he got so tired from crying. It's more likely that he was crying because he was tired.

• Sharp pain — A shriek, followed by a long silent pause and another shriek. (You'll definitely hear this one when your baby is vaccinated. It can also mean an air bubble is making his stomach hurt, his foot is caught in the bars of the crib, or he is being stabbed by a diaper pin.

• Hunger — Short, rhythmic cries that can sound desperate.

• Pooping — Starts out as more of a grunt than a cry, often while eating.

• Too hot, sick, or feverish — A whiny cry.

• Anger or frustration — Your baby may let out screams of outrage when you take a nipple from his mouth or unfasten his diaper, or for no apparent reason.

• Boredom — Progresses from gurgling and grumbling to wailing. The crying usually stops instantly when you pick up a bored baby.