[ShannonMVT]

What your babies different cries sound like? What the difference is between a hungry cry and a tired cry? I'm having a tough time telling when he is hungry vs tired. It doesn't help that he is always willing to suckle, so putting him to the boob doesn't tell me if he is hungry or tired.
I tried reading about different crys on Babywhisperer forums, but I'm still not getting it. I think I have the diaper change one figured out at least.
Anyone else have a hard time with this? I feel like a bad mom that my baby is 2 months old and I still have trouble reading him.
I'm also still having a tough time getting him to settle for his naps and bedtime. He will act super tired and fussy, I will give in and nurse him to calm him and then he gets a second wind and is wide awake and won't go down for hours.
What is your "go to sleep" routine? How long does it take you to get your baby to go down for naps and bedtime?
Right now it's 9 pm, he's been up since 5 pm. I figure he's GOT to be tired but he is just wide awake. Or does my baby just need way less sleep than what everything in the books and online says?

[soImarriedAnerd]

Check out The Dunstan Baby Language DVD DunstanBaby.com I LOVE IT!!!!!! I can't remember all of it-but when I did know them it was amazing how accurate it was--I tried it out on every baby I knew at the time! LOL

I know "neh" sound is for hungry.

[~*Bethy*~]

You know, I cant describe it unless I heard the cry right now. You will pick it up sooner or later My daughter was the same way as Matthew - always wide awake and would cry if I put her down. She just wanted to see whats up and doesnt want to miss one part of the world going round, even now at almost 3 years old. Have you tried to put him to bed earlier before he actually acts cranky/tired? Maybe being ahead of him might help him get into a schedule. With Ian we just fell into a routine, but with Morgan I had to be one step ahead of her to get her used to her brothers routine. Meaning if I knew I had to put Ian down for a nap, she would eat and go down before him, then I would tend to him, same with bedtime. I also bottle fed, so it made it a tad easier.

Hang in there Shannon, I know I always say that, but you are really doing an awesome job with him and Im glad your so assertive with his needs

~Beth

[Frozendesire]

The minute you figure them out, they change on you haha.

The five sounds in the Dunstan Baby Language are:

• “Neh” – meaning, “I’m hungry”
• “Owh” – meaning, “I’m tired”
• “Heh” – meaning, “I’m uncomfortable”
• “Eairh” – meaning, “I have lower gas”
• “Eh” – meaning, “I need to burp”

You can tell by their body as well. Just watch and listen and you'll figure it out! It takes some time and I don't think 2 months is even that long!! It can take a long time

Dustin nurses to nap and night time. Curtis did the same and I don't mind. He'll nurse to sleep and then wake up when I put him in his crib, then I pat his back and he goes back to sleep.

We nurse, solids, PJs/bath, say our goodnights to Curtis, nurse and then put him in his crib. Lately he's been waking up a couple of times after that so he isn't fully asleep until 10 but I just keep going in and patting his back and saying SHHH.

Naps he just nurses and then falls asleep and I put him in his crib (Cause it's safely away from Curtis haha)

[~* Helen *~]

Chloes cry seems to be higher pitched when she wants something and her crying when tired sounds like what above says

I'm clueless! I got by her tired cues (yawn and eye rubbing) but I'm not sure what age they begin these cues, I think older than Matthew.

He could be wide awake due to overtired - but all babies are different. The baby whisperer book (possibly forums too) has a section in it as to what cry means what.

I know Kirsty ouchy cry, it's completely different. I can sometimes tell her tired cry as it's more moany than upset.

[ShannonMVT]

Angela (or anyone else?) do you have the DVD? It sounds interesting, but $40!

[ShannonMVT]

And what about that really horrible shaky cry where there is a pause and then they suck in air and make this super loud shaky cry, sounds like in pain maybe?

[HopeWishWait]

When Conner SCREAMS, he's hungry. He doesn't cry

When he's crying not screaming, he's tired. He also yawns and rubs his eyes so I go by that as well. When he's just kind of grunting and fussing it usually means he's bored or wants me to hold him.

As far as bedtime routines, he gets a bottle between 8:30 and 9:00 pm...then we read a story and rock in his chair for a bit and then he goes in his crib. He's usually not asleep but he'll lay there on his own and suck his thumb until he's passed out.

Honestly, I never "learned" Conner's cries. I just went on, ok he ate 10 minutes ago and now he's crying...he can't be hungry so it must be something else. Now that he's older and more expressive it's pretty obvious what he wants.

[Mars]

I learned to differentiate Amara's early on but can't really describe it. As weird as this may sound, I've never heard of the Dustan Baby Language guide. It's quite interesting. I'll try to see if I can match Amara's to it.

[soImarriedAnerd]

Originally Posted by ShannonMVT

Angela (or anyone else?) do you have the DVD? It sounds interesting, but $40!

I will see what I can do... Does your computer play movies? (what movie player do you use?)

[Angelaosaurus-rex]

I wish I could help but I can't describe the sound of the cry I just kinda know KWIM.... You will get it too it just takes time.

[ANGWife]

When he's hungry it's higher pitched and sometimes even squeaky. When he's mad/uncomfortable it makes his bottom lip quiver. Henry works him up so badly sometimes that he can't stop coughing aznd he nearly vomits.

[ShannonMVT]

Originally Posted by soImarriedAnerd

I will see what I can do... Does your computer play movies? (what movie player do you use?)

I'm pretty sure I have Real Player and Windows Media Player. Dh is computer savvy so he can download whatever is free if I don't have what's needed.

[ShannonMVT]

Oh and I don't think his hungry cry is a "neh" sound to me. I do think his tired is "owh" though.

I am giving up on Babywhisperer, at least for now. No more routine for us. It was driving me crazy.

If he wants to nurse to sleep, so be it. I am not going to fight him on the naps. If he wants to stay up 3 hours straight even though "the books" say he shouldn't be up longer than 1 hour 20 minutes, oh well.
We did some shushing and patting yesterday and he eventually started screaming. It actually made me feel physically ill to hear him get that upset.
I guess I should just enjoy the fact that for right now, a booby makes everything better.

[Frozendesire]

Just keep doing what comes naturally and don't force yourself into uncomfortable situations!

He most likely finds alot of comfort in your arms nursing. I personally don't see anything wrong with it. Once you let him show you the way you may find it easier to understand him and his cues?

If he doesn't want to sleep, then I wouldn't make up. He'll fall asleep when he wants/does. Just do what you know comforts him and he'll do what he does!

Babies are truly puzzling things!!

[soImarriedAnerd]

^^^ I know that the Dustan Baby language has a few torrents out on the web---just have your DH search for one and download it. then (if you don't have one) get a torrent player to watch it. (I use Tomato Torrent for my Mac, and DH uses Bit Torrent for his PC).