19 mo old whiney noise--how to respond?

[colleentara]

Well my 19 mo old DS has just reached a wonderful new stage of whining. Just 3 days ago, he started making this "aigghhhh" sound for everything! He knows signs and he can say a few words, so I keep reminding him to use them when he needs something, but it's driving me nuts.
What is the best way to deal with it? How do I not encourage it?
Of course, it's coinciding with travel, and adjusting to time change, etc....so I don't know how much of it is just that...
I'm sure you can tell that he's my first child...any help would be appreciated!
Thanks!

[Xerxella]

Ugh. Yeah, it sucks. It made me feel better to at least get them to sign "please" with the whine and point. Try not to respond to the immediate whining and make sure you respond to him when he does sign please without whining. But, you know all those things. You could tell him you don't understand unless he uses his words. (Of course, only for things you know he has the word for.) It actually doesn't seem to last long, which will make you feel better.

[NaturallyPeachey]

my 19 mo DS is starting the whole whining stuff too. When he does it I look at him and say - how do we ask for help? or what do we day when we need help? and i've taught him how to say help please. Of course, 95% of the time he first resorts to the whining and then when prompted will say help please but maybe one day it will sink in! One thing I don't do is if I hear him whining in the other room while playing with his toys is go to him. I'm sure you can tell the difference too between the WHINE and the true i need help now cry. when it's just his "this isn't working the way i want it to whine" i let him work it out on his own or he has to come find me.

[colleentara]

thanks, that helps. I am always amazed with what ds can understand. I've been telling him to sign (or say) what he needs instead of whining and he's started to do it more. I think I do need to work on letting him figure it out when he's whining about something not working the way he'd like! Sometimes I just want the whiney noise to stop!

[Bellamaphone]

We have had success by redirecting our 19 month old into saying help (mommy, daddy, gramma) when she wants something instead of whining, it took a month or two for it to stick but she finally gave up whining and says help now which is much nicer and cute too!