I can’t recognise what my baby wants when she cries

[Santasbigballbells]

My baby is 9 weeks old now and I keep reading that I should recognise what her hungry cry sounds like etc. I still can’t distinguish between what her different cries are. I can tell she is hungry when I see her rooting around or it’s been a while since her last feed. But I don’t recognise her specific hungry cry if she wants feeding sooner than I expect.

I also can’t tell when she is bored and wants to play. She’s been cranky this morning crying on and off and I thought she was a bit colicky after her vaccinations a few days ago. But then husband came home and was playing with her toys with her and she settled right down so she was obviously bored. I thought she wouldn’t want to play because she was unsettled but she was unsettled because she wanted to play.

I feel like I’m just winging it and getting it wrong a lot. I should know what she wants after 9 weeks surely??

Thank you so much everyone it’s so reassuring to hear everyone saying that.
I’m formula feeding but not on any schedule (like baby would even allow that lol) she’s fed on demand so it’s just a guessing game.

I’m so glad everyone said they are the same!! Thanks everyone I feel better now

I've got 2 cats and a baby. The cats' different miaows I can understand no problem. The baby - not a clue! The same as everyone else - I just try food, nappy, cuddle, walk, song, etc until I find the required solution for that episode!

I didn’t have a clue with dd1. Her cry was a scream at full volume, and it is today now she’s 9yo.

I however worked out dd2, as she’d just feed. If it wasn’t that it was sleep. She’s still the same at 7yo 🤣

I could never tell either. My friends said they knew from their babies' cries what they wanted so I just kept quiet but I had no clue. Even at 14 months I often still don't!! Don't worry. Parenting seems to be designed to make us all feel bad.

I totally agree with the poster who said babies cry when they are uncomfortable so if a nappy is burning them, their belly is empty, some clothing is snagging them, they are lonely and want cuddles, they got a fright etc etc but the cry is the same mostly. Other than rooting I think most cries are the same and mean go through the list something is up.

Mine is nearly 5 months old and I can't tell what her cries mean.