Abstract: The present invention concerns an automatic method for measuring a baby's cry, comprising the following step: A. having N samples ?(i), for i=O, 1, . . . , (N?1), of an acoustic signal p(t) representing the cry, sampled at a sampling frequency? for a period of duration P; the method being characterised in that it assigns a score PainScore to the acoustic signal p(t) by means of a function AF of one or more acoustic parameters selected from the group comprising: —a root-mean-square or rms value prms of the acoustic signal p(t) in the period P; —a fundamental or pitch frequency F0 of the acoustic signal p(t), i.e. the minimum frequency at which a peak in the spectrum of the acoustic signal p(t) occurs in the period P; and—a configuration of amplitude and frequency modulation of the acoustic signal p(t) in the period P. The invention further concerns the apparatus performing the method.