Did your baby keep themself occupied longer once they could crawl?

[Flingmoo]

DS is 5 months old and trying desperately to get himself mobile. I know he'll require more supervision once crawling but hoping he'll be happier once he does! He seems to just get bored and frustrated at the moment when he can't do what he's trying so hard to do. I have to keep changing him into new positions when he's playing - front, back, sitting etc. to keep him happy and occupied with toys.

Did you notice a change in your baby once they became mobile?

[minipie]

Oh, I remember 5 months, I was constantly having to rotate DD's position/entertainment to keep her happy. Very tedious.

DD was much happier and more able to entertain herself once she could sit up at 6 months. Then again happier once she could crawl and pull up at 9 months.

However... as soon as she could crawl I had to keep much more of an eye on her to make sure she wasn't crawling down steps or reaching dangerous things... so it didn't exactly make life easier!

Could your DS also be teething? DD was getting her first teeth at the same time as learning to sit up and the combination made her really grumpy. First teeth came through at exactly the same time she learned to sit up, so I'm not quite sure which had the biggest impact but boy was she a lot happier.

[Pointlessfan]

My baby has been crawling for a couple of weeks and I'm exhausted! I suppose she does amuse herself but that involves chasing the cat, pulling things off shelves, knocking things over, banging her head. I could go on! I'm constantly lifting her out of the way of trouble and can't leave her alone for a minute!

[Flingmoo]

I guess I'm getting a bit bored of sitting there seeing him getting bored...!

I'm sure I'll be looking back on these days fondly when he's crawling around wreaking havoc but I think I'm looking forward to it for my own entertainment value too!

[minipie]

Yes I agree - crawling was harder work for me physically (can't leave them alone) but even so, it was much better overall because she was much happier and didn't need me to pick her up and move her/show her things all the time.

I think there are some babies who just get bored easily and are happier the older/more capable they get - DD is definitely one of these.

[elelfrance]

Sitting up (around 6-7 months for my LO) was a big step forward, and crawling was a revelation, she could entertain herself so much more, but it came a lot later for us - 10 months

[chocolatesolveseverything]

Once my ds could crawl he was much more contented and happy to amuse himself. Contrary to my expectations, he wasn't much of an explorer. He just wanted to reach his toys and remain in a familiar place, so life got much easier. These days he's on the verge of walking and I can feel the frustration building again so fx something similar happens this time!

[Allstoppedup]

Yes. Occupy himself with trouble!

He is much less frustrated and cries less but it is exhausting redirecting him from mischief!

It makes you slightly rueful of the staying put phase!

[GotToBeInItToWinIt]

I actually found DD much easier to manage when she started crawling. I basically baby proofed our 'playroom' to the extent that there was nothing she couldn't touch and let her get on with it. She just amuses herself now!

[NickyEds]

Crawling was harder at first, face planting,"aagggh our house is full of hazards", falling and the like but it's easier now we've baby proofed and he can cruise around more confidently. Although now he can crawl and find me and do that standing up wrapped around my leg thing that was adorable at first but has become very tiresome!

[GotToBeInItToWinIt]

Haha Nicky I get that too, although now I just carry on with what I'm doing and she just clings on and walks around attached to my leg!

[munchkinmaster]

Best situation is child who can sit up but not crawling yet. Babies seem much happier upright but can't get into trouble. My first crawled before she sat up though.

is happier and can amuse self a bit now at 2.5