My baby hates being a baby!

[MessyBun247]

21 weeks today, will be 5 months on Friday. I thought things would be easier by now and she would be a bit more chilled out but it just seems to get harder every day

She only wakes for a few feeds at night, and naps ok during the day (only takes long naps when attached to my boob though). But when she's awake she's really moany for the majority of the time. Wants walked about all the time so she can see/touch everything. Hates carseat, will only tolerate pram/playmat/high chair/jumperoo/bouncy seat for literally 5 mins max.

She has been rolling both ways since 15 weeks, and now just screams in frustration that she can't crawl. She's a strong sturdy wee thing so hoping she will be able to sit up quite soon and this may ease her frustration a bit.

I'm just so drained trying to keep her content. She's so interested in everything and wants constant stimulation.

She's EBF and won't take a bottle so can't even leave her with anyone to get a break.

Please tell me this will get better as I'm not enjoying life much right now. Every day just seems so long.

[CaitAgusMadra]

I promise it will get better. DS1 used to get so frustrated at every stage. It gradually improved as he became more physically able (sitting at about 7 months, crawled /pulled to standing at about 9 months) but didn't totally resolve until he walked at 11 months. He's now 3 and looking back it was such a short part of his life, horrible at the time though. I've no advice sorry except to say that it will pass

[MessyBun247]

Thank you. Logically I know it will pass but it's hard to see the light at the end of the tunnel these days.

My DD1 was the same until she was mobile, although not quite as a bad. And DD1 turned into the most pleasant and cheerful toddler/child, so I'm hoping DD2 will be the same!

It's just so exhausting and I thought I would be enjoying maternity leave but it's just one hard, whingey slog at the moment.

[MessyBun247]

Really when does it get enjoyable??

[1northernfairy]

Think I may have related to your posts in the past! I seem to have an identical baby.

Things got much better in the 6th month, she's 7 months now and can sit, crawl and pull up to standing= much happier baby and very relieved mummy (she still doesn't pissing sleep but that's another matter)!

I found the 5th month the looooonnnggest and hardest. Every flipping day was a battle. It went on forever and I never felt like I was winning.

Hang on in there, I'm sure it will get better really soon. Hopefully your DD will become more content as she can 'do' more.

[NellWilsonsWhiteHair]

Mine was exactly like that. He got better with each big development - crawling helped, walking was life changing in the best way possible. Once he could talk, he was almost like a different child.

He's four now and he's such a contented and interested child. SO easy. I was out with a friend at the weekend (same age child - DS' best friend) and remembered how mine used to be the difficult baby and hers was so easy-going and placid. Total role reversal now. He hated being a baby, but he's loved being 2/3/4.

[waitingforsomething]

I'm afraid both mine have been like this and really I didn't enjoy dd until she was 2 and walking and talking. The bonus however is that I really really super enjoy her and am in awe of her cute and funnyness. It was worth the wait it really was. Ds is 1 and similar, only a year to go! Hang on and don't worry, grumpy babies do not make for grumpy children.

[IWillOnlyEatBeans]

Both my babies HATED being babies. They we much happier and less whingy when they finally got mobile (18 and 22 months respectively - I was so far past the end of my tether it was unbelievable!!)

Things got loads easier once they were both walking and talking. So 18 months to 2 yrs for me, but probably much earlier for you if your baby is already rolling (mine didn't roll!)

They are 6 and 3 now and generally happy, contented children!

[ShowOfHands]

My hv always used to say it was an existential crisis. My eldest was the same. Just so frustrated and trapped by the limitations of her body. Wanted to be up and doing. Thankfully, she walked and talked before 12 months through sheer determination.

I tell you what though, she was and is the easiest child. Never tantrummed, kind, resilient, curious, determined. As a baby she was cross and hard work. Always had to be upright and stimulated. No sitting for her. But it translated into being a v bright and independent child.

[ShowOfHands]

5 months was a low point btw. Really exhausting. Rarely napped, grizzly unless walked around and shown something new every 2 minutes, despised lying down or being left.

Ask other people for as much help as possible. We had limited success with a weird flying saucer thing too. She stood in it, spinning herself round and pressing stuff. It made a godawful amount of noise but it could buy me 20 minutes.

[ShowOfHands]

this arsing thing

[MessyBun247]

Thanks so much for all the replies!

She seems to be close to sitting up independently now so hopefully that might ease her frustration slightly. And crawling in the next few months will also hopefully help too.

She's a gorgeous bright wee baby, just very hard work keeping her happy! 'Spirited' is a good word .

Doesn't help when DPs mum says I've made her this way by 'spoiling' her. I'm pretty sure she just has a strong personality and I'm responding appropriately to her needs rather than just letting her cry!! Ugh!

Love hearing how much easier everyone's babies got as they got independent, it gives me hope! I'll just have to struggle through for the next wee while

[PrimalLass]

DS was like that. We got him a baby walker, despite all the dire warnings. It changed everything over night. He was just bored - at 4 months old!

[intravenouscoffee]

DD was like this, nearly drove me mad. She improved every time she hit a milestone and became more independent.

Sitting unaided was a big one for her but then she did get grumpy again at around 9 months as she was learning to crawl. One she could do that though she was soooo much happier.

And you're not spoiling her. Just ignore that. It will get easier but it's bloody hard work in the meantime so you have my sympathies.

[StandoutMop]

My first was like this. She liked the door bouncer, more for being upright than bouncing and that sit and spin flying saucer thing linked above.

I think I avoided a lot of it by going back to work so wasn't as all consuming for me as it is for you.

But it did pass, she walked at 10 months and once was independently mobile seemed a lot more content.

She's 10 now, and doesn't move off the sofa...

[bebo100]

My eldest was like that. Once he started crawling he was a totally different baby - so much happier.

[MessyBun247]

So looking forward to her crawling!

And lol at 4 month old being bored

Contemplating getting a door bouncer now.

[OutsiderInTheGarden]

My sympathies OP. As many here have already said, month 5 is a but crappy. They're so full of frustration and wanting to do so many things which are just out if their reach. I remember month 6 being a clear turning point. My DS could sit up and I could uncouple him from me for more than 3 seconds! It meant that he could take far more interest in toys and other things around him, like the poor cat. And weaning! There's so much fun to come very soon. My PND started to life at 6 months and I believe it's because my son was able to sit up! It changed everything. Hang on in there.

[MessyBun247]

Thank you outsider

It's exactly 3 weeks until she turns 6 months so it's literally around corner. I have faith things will start getting a wee bit easier soon!

[PrimalLass]

And lol at 4 month old being bored grin

He has always been pfb advanced.

[PrimalLass]

Now he won't lift his head up from a screen and would stay in bed all day. Teenage at 10.

[MessyBun247]

Yep my DD1 (10) is the same! YouTube is life atm. Thank God she's easily entertained as all my energy is on DD2 right now!

[Numberoneisgone]

In terms of BF you are within touching distance of it become very easy. Once they can take some solids well you can leave them for extended periods of time with others. I suggest you get the baby used to this preferred person as soon as you can so that you can get some me time. Just as an example I went back to work a couple of months after this so I was able to stretch this out to full work days and ds only took about 4ounces when I was away the rest was solids. I went from where you are at to that in 2 ish months.

[MessyBun247]

She's a hungry girl so I'm hoping she will take well to solids. And fingers crossed she will drink out of a cup!

I'm sure when I finally get a little 'me time' I won't know what to do with myself and will miss her like crazy! Literally haven't been away from her for more than 20mins since she was born.