Oh girls, im hearing what you are all saying and ive heard it before and then seen the answer and a very happy mum and baby after they put the advice into practise... please please check out the baby whisperer website, im telling you, its been a godsend for me. We still have our routine going, Caleb feeds every three hours and sleeps for an hour and a half to two hours four times a day and sleeps almost through the night as well

Ren if your little one is crying out for food and its been less than an hour and a half since she ate then either you have a low milk supply or you arent reading her cries properly, she wont be hungry that soon but if you give her your breast she will take it and not learn to self settle and you wont learn how to differentiate between her cries. Just imagine you go into a restaurant and ask for the bathroom and get a plate of food shoved in your face or you ask for some food and get taken to the toilet, how frustrating. if she doesnt feel that shes being heard then all her cries will become the same and you wont know the difference at all.

I hope i dont sound like im "preaching" i just know how valuable all this information i have received has been and I want you all to benefit the same way i have, i have so much sleep and energy, im able to go out, i dont have to drive Caleb or rock him to put him to sleep he just falls asleep because ive learnt how to read him and know how to settle him down so he has now learnt (in just two or three days) how to put himself to sleep in his bed. Its not a strict routine, its just a guideline and you work out how your baby fits into it as every child is different.
BTW the baby whisperer does NOT condone crying it out at all.

Here is a rough guideline of what the cries mean:

From Secrets of the Baby Whisperer p.86-88

Tired or overtired
Listen
Starts as cranky irregular frequency fussing but if not stopped quickly escalates to an overtired cry: first 3 short wails followed by a hard cry, then 2 short breaths and a longer, even louder cry. Usually they cry and cry and if left alone will fall asleep.
Observe
Blinks, yawns. If not put to bed, physical signs can include back arching, legs kicking and arms flailing, may grab own ears or cheeks and scratch face (a reflex); if you are holding him, squirms and tries to turn into your body. If he continues to cry his face will become bright red.
Of all the cries the most often misinterpreted for hunger. Therefore pay close attention to when it occurs. It may come after playtime or after someone has been cooing at baby. Squirming is often mistaken for colic.

Overstimulated
Listen
Long hard cry. Similar to overtired.
Observe
Arms and legs flail; turns head away from light; will turn away from anyone trying to play with him.
Usually comes when baby has had enough playing an adult keeps trying to amuse him.

Needs a change of scene
Listen
Cranky fussing that starts with noises of annoyance rather than outright cries.
Observe
Turns away from object placed before her; plays with fingers
If it gets worse when you change position then she might be tired and needs a nap.

Pain/Wind
Listen
Unmistakable shrill high-pitched scream that comes without warning; may hold breaths between wails and start again.
Observe
Whole body tenses and become rigid, which perpetuates the cycle, because the air can?t pass; pulls knees upward to chest, face is scrunched in an expression of pain, tongue wiggles upward, like a little lizard.
All newborns swallow air, which can cause wind. Throughout the day you?ll hear a tiny, squeaky wincing sound in the back of the throat ? that?s air swallowing. Wind can also be caused by irregular feeding patterns.

Hunger
Listen
Slight cough like sound in the back of the throat; then out comes the first cry. It short to begin with then more steady: waa, waa, waa rhythm.
Observe
Baby starts to subtly lick her lips and then ?root? ? tongue starts coming out and turns head to side; pulls fist toward mouth.
The best way to discern hunger is look at when baby last ate. If she?s on EASY it removes some the guesswork.

Too cold
Listen
Full-out crying with bottom lip quivering.
Observe
Tiny goose bumps on skin; may shiver; cold extremities; skin can sometimes have a bluish tinge.
Can happen with a newborn after a bath or when you?re changing and dressing her.

Too hot
Listen
Fussy whine that sounds more like panting, low at first, about five minutes; if left alone will eventually launch into a cry.
Observe
Feels hot and sweaty; flushed; pants instead of breathing regularly; may see red blotchiness on baby?s face and upper torso.
Different from fever in that cry is similar to a pain cry; skin is dry, not clammy. (Take temperature to be sure)

Where?d you go? I need a cuddle
Listen
Cooing sounds suddenly turns into short waas that sound like a kitten; crying disappears the minute baby is picked up.
Observe
Looks around, trying to find you.
If you catch this straight away you may not need to pick baby up (pat on back, soft words of reassurance).

Overfeeding
Listen
Fussing, even crying after a meal.
Observe
Spits up frequently
This often occurs when sleepiness and overstimulation are mistaken for hunger.

Bowel movement
Listen
Grunts or cries when feeding
Observe
Squirms and bears down; stops nursing; has bowel movement.
May be mistaken for hunger. Mum often thinks she?s ?doing something wrong?

Ok so this is a really long post but i hope it helps somebody in this group....

Sonya, I will resend you my routine for Nixon, like i said just sing out if you want some help!