"Gary" wrote in message
om...
As a new father of twin boys I often find myself at 3 AM, when I am
not thinking very clearly and do not have loads of patience,
confronted with one or more unhappy babies.

They've been home about 4 weeks and I am learning slowly what
possibilities exist for calming the boys. They include:

Feeding
Swaddling
Pacifier
Placing in vibro-massage seat
Cuddling
Singing (this has not worked yet)
Changing diaper
Placing in sling
Burping
Placing on tummy temporarily

Then you have the behaviors that lead you to choose one or the other.

OK this is where it gets tricky. I've learned that constant loud
crying/screaming is usually a sign of being hungry. Less intense
fussy/fidgety is often wet/poopy diaper. Digestion/peristalsys/gas is
usually loud groaning (I also don't know what to do about this except
let it happen). There is also bored/lonely which might be occasional
crying.

Along with the feeding schedule and diaper count we are tracking on
our white board, I'm thinking of coming up with a checklist of "what
finally worked" to settle one or the other kid down.

Just wondered if anyone had already done something like this. It's OK
to say I will learn it as I go along but I want my kids to get to that
"happy place" ASAP.

You could also possibly be trying too many things and over-stimulating?
How about after double checking to see if they are hungry, dirty nappy or in
pain, presuming they are tired and not rocking or singing etc. I used to
find that sitting next to the baby in the crib with the light off, gently
holding their hand, having them swaddled and just saying 'shhhhhhhhhh' used
to settle them down eventually.
You will know if they are over-stimulated if they look as though they are
trying to get away from you, turning their head away and generally looking
cranky!!
HTH
Marie