Crying in the pram!

[Sanrio]

Hi.
I'm really hoping that there is someone out there who can give me some advice! My baby girl is nearly 11 months but since about 5 months old she has hated going out in the pram. She can be fine for a while but then will start not just crying but screaming... and there is honestly nothing else wrong with her - except that she wants to be carried. She does have tantrums at other times during the day - like when she has to come out of the bath or if I put her down to play and she doesn't want to be put down. It's got to the point where people have made comments and one woman even said "For goodness sake look after your baby"... I was just devastated as I'm not a confident person at the best of times. Often I will give in and carry her but it is getting increasingly difficult to do that as she is getting heavier and heavier!! I also think that she should learn to behave when she's in her pram... but people look at me as if I'm a terrible mother. I always make sure that she has toys to play with in the pram, as well as snacks and a beaker of water so I know it's not for lack of stimulation or hunger... am just worrying that I'm creating a madam.
Can anyone help???

[LegoLeia]

Hi! Is it a lie-down pram? My little one started to kick up a fuss, but as soon as he could sit up and look at everyone, he was happy again!?

It's awful when people all look at you in a "your baby is crying you terrible woman" way! Don't worry, we all get it!

Good luck! xxx

[EffiePerine]

She isn't a madam, just 11 months old . It's a big age for separation anxiety, which is COMPLETELY NORMAL though irritating at times. I'd give her extra cuddles and she'll come through it.

Re the pram, have you tried different designs/ front/rear facing? Also, have you considered a sling? If you get a good one and try different carries it can be suprisingly convenient.

On the bright side, she doesn't want toys or drinks, she wants YOU . You're the centre of her world at the moment and she just needs a bit of reassurance.

(DS is 13 months and still pretty clingy but seems to be getting a little better)

[morningpaper]

Try different prams

Neither of mine have liked prams that much, but rear-facing ones seemed better, and ones that were quite high and upright

I'm afraid that neither of mine wanted to be strapped in (grr) so I used a pram with a safety-bar and that gave them more freedom of movement

Otherwise I just restricted pram use to the bare necessities (1 or 2 shops and straight home!)

[mrsgboring]

Second the sling suggestion. We ditched the pram entirely at 5 months and at 2 he walks nearly everywhere, never goes in a buggy and I can still sling him if need arises, but am otherwise unencumbered by damn' pram.

And no, you aren't creating a "madam" by responding to her needs. It'll be no time at all before you'd be wanting to wean her OFF prams, not on them.

[Sanrio]

Thanks everyone... She is sitting upright in the pram so I don't think it's that. We will probably sell the pram in January and will replace it with a lighter buggy so maybe that will make a difference - fingers crossed! When I take her out to carry her I literally can only do it for about 7 minutes or so because she is quite heavy now and wiggles non-stop!

[Ineedacleaner]

I found with both of mine that as soon as they were mobile even when only crawling not even walking they hated being strapped into the pram as they were obviously under the impression that they could crawl up the street or around shops lol.

[Tapster]

You could have been writing about my own DD who is nearly one. Bad news on the lighter buggy, its even worse as she is lower down. DD is just very bored and wants to crawl everywhere now. I have to bribe her with food to get her to stay in pushchair in shops. I make only short trips. I've bought a sling for bigger babies (an Ergo), I'm only 5ft with a very big baby and I can manage her just for 20-30mins, so I don't get stuck with a screaming baby somewhere.

I just can't wait until she can walk I think there will be no stopping her. Up side if we have another DC I won't have to buy a double buggy!

I look in envy at those mothers with babies just staring out of their pushchair contently or even god forbid asleep.

I have a happy and active DD and I wouldn't change her for the world. I just do more car journeys and few walks. Taking her to the playground and tiring her out before going round the shops is also good.

[ib]

I would also advise a sling. The ergo is probably the best if she's quite heavy. We hardly ever use a pushchair.