8 month old constant whining

[Toizzy]

hello, I could really do with some advice..im a ftm to a usually quite happy nearly 8 month old . He's always been quite easy going except for his sleeping which isn't great.
For the last three days he has been whining constantly , like all day long and it's starting to get at me .. I did wonder if he was in any pain etc but don't think so, it seems to just be him wanting my or his dad's full attention at all times.I wonder if it's frustration of some sort, not being able to communicate for example or if he's just already trying to get his way?
Is this normal, is it a phase and should I just wait it out?Im not sure how to react either when he moans, ive tried distracting him, comforting him, telling him not to whine .
His dad says he's just trying it on and we should just let him be if he's okay of course, clean and fed, but the whining turns into crying if we don't respond, and I won't/can't leave him to cry but recently can't help thinking he might be "taking advantage".Is that a daft idea? Im tired so might be paranoid
Any advice would be welcome, thanks.

[Mumof3xx]

My dd is 10 months and can be wingey but there always seems to be a reason!

Hunger, boredom or in need of snuggles

[Mumof3xx]

It's not just about being clean and fed

[Auntierosemary]

My kids did this at this age when they were coming down with something or teething. If he is normally ok and it has only been a few days I'd be more inclined to think it is some temporary discomfort rather than anything behavioural or developmental. Maybe try giving him a bit of calpol?

[Toizzy]

yes of course but he does get lots of cuddles and attention :) He does love it when there is noise/people so he could be a bit bored because it's just him and me in the week, but it's always been like that.Maybe he's finding it more boring now he's getting older.


What is calpol? Medication?
thanks

[RalphRecklessCardew]

Are there any playgroups you could take him to? Otherwise, what Auntierosemary said - he could be teething/coming down with something.

[JiltedJohnsJulie]

Have you tried him with a dose of ibruprofen? If the whinging stops after that you know he's been feeling poorly

[Mumof3xx]

Or drugged up

[minipie]

Don't be ridiculous mumof3. Ibuprofen is not a sedative, it's a pain reliever so if it helps then by definition that shows the child was in pain.

[minipie]

OP calpol is a brand of paracetamol for babies and children.

[PieceOfTheMoon]

Mine have both been through phases like this, so would guess poorly, teething, over tired, or maybe a bit of separation anxiety. Take his temp to rule out infection, then as others have said try Calpol or ibuprofen. If that doesn't work try a nap. If all else fails attach yourself to him (or him to you!) for comfort.

IME it can last up to a few weeks at a time and it does get infuriating. Hope he gets over it soon.

[Toizzy]

No unfortunately where I live, not in the uk, they don't have playgroups or anything similar.
No we haven't given him anything it's true, maybe we should try it just in case . He's off to bed in a minute so unless the night is bad we'll wait and see how things are tomorrow and maybe give him some paracetamol if still not "himself".
Thanks for your help

[WestieMamma]

My 10 month old whines for 3 reasons. He's either tired, feeling poorly or he wants someone's mobile phone.

[BarberryRicePud]

Is he mobile yet? I have found that they tend to go through a horrid patch of frustration just before they start crawling and then again just before they cruise/walk.

Please don't think your 8m old is "trying it on". He lacks the intellectual development to be able to do that. Truly.

If he's whinging its because he wants something bit knows he doesn't have to full on cry to get your attention. This is a good thing. If you don't respond when he whinges he'll just start full on crying instead. Perhaps consider teaching him some baby signing or how to point to get what he wants. Dd is 9m and can point to her cup if thirsty. He's not to young. Once you understand them it's so much easier, for you and him.

My advice would be respond to the whinging. Even if all he wants is a cuddle, he still needed you. This will pass. All too soon. And then he'll be saying "urrgh, yuck mum!" when you try to kiss and cuddle him!

[purplemurple1]

You could try putting on the radio or baby tv (DVD or YouTube if needed) for 20 min if you need to get something done.

Mines taken to grunting non stop which seems to be related to learning to roll over and feed himself still it's driving me crazy!

[Toizzy]

thanks for your help.
He's was actually much better today.
I didn't really think he was "trying it on" but needed to hear it from someone else
My bf thinks we should leave hom to cry for example when he won't go to sleep but again I can't/won't and I keep saying I don't want to and defending my position but sometimes I get a little unsure about it all .

[Eletheomel]

My very content and happy 8 month old has started whining (or shouting!) at us for the last week or so too. In his case we think it's down to teething (he has six front ones just waiting to pop) and also his desire to walk. He can't crawl yet, he has barely rolled, but apparently what he wants to do is to stand all the time and pick up things he wants while being on his feet (gotta love his ambition).

Anyway, a lot of his grumping is if he's lying down or sitting and as soon as we help him stand up, he has a big grin on his face :-)

I don't leave him to cry to sleep either and I never left DS1 cry to sleep either, he was a bad sleeper as a baby but by 2.5 yrs was great and has slept through the last 8 months of DS2 being in the house (which is fab!)