My baby is never happy

[Roseybee10]

She's five months old.
She had reflux until about 3.5 months so cried all the time until then due to that.
Now nothing makes her happy. She's not sore any more and takes me milk better but she's so hard to please.
She doesn't want picked up, she doesn't want put down. She doesn't want on her mat, or to sit on my knee. She screams in the car seat and screams in the pram. She is NEVER HAPPY. I'm so tired of it. I just spend all day listening to her whining and throwing herself about all over me trying to get away from me then crying if I dare to actually put her down.

[JustMeAnon]

DS1 was the same. He was a difficult feeder, and nothing I could do,other than taking him out and about, pacified him. I look back and wonder if he had silent reflux and was in pain, certainly that would explain the feeding problems. But also, I dont think he liked being a baby if that doesnt sound too daft. Every milestone he reached he seemed to get a bit happier ie from crawling to walking to talking. Its draining, but it will improve, I expect she's nearly sitting, and not long after crawling...she'll have stuff she can do a bit more independently then.

[Roseybee10]

She seems so frustrated all the time. She's been trying to crawl for about three weeks commando style but she's just not strong enough yet and she gets so mad. She's sitting on her own for short bursts but she sti supports herself with hands. I think she will be much happier when she's moving.
I just find her so demanding and exhausting. dd1 was so easy in comparison. Of course I can't say tbhus in RL as people look at me like a terrible person.

[Mulligrubs]

My son was like this - he was smiley but never satisfied. When he could crawl it got better, when he could walk he transformed, although through those changes teething was a nightmare and he began teething at 4 months, got his first teeth at 5 months. Some babies just don't like being babies IYSWIM. If she is seems like something is bothering her it could be reflux, it could be teeth or could just be frustration at not being able to do the things she wants to. Hang on in there, it does get better

[Mulligrubs]

X-post, definitely sounds like she is just striving for the next milestone but physically isn't able to do what she wants. Definitely sounds just like my son!

[TheRollingCrone]

On yes, I hear you... I had one of those (DD now 8). The most unhappy baby in the history of the Western World Ever. She had colic until 13 weeks, and then started The Teething from Hell.

She just didn't like being a baby, if we were out and anybody smiled, looked, talked to her she'd growl.Honestly, proper growl. I got over my embarrassment with that quite quickly.

I used to despair, its a real kicker when you can,t make you're own baby contented. Four prams I bought, FOUR fucking prams, until I realised, its not the prams... It's her .

Can I say, once she got teeth, words and the hang of walking she was brilliant! And has continued in the same vein. It does get easier... But it feels bloody relentless not to say thankless when you're in the moment.

[TheRollingCrone]

Family moniker for my one was "Moaning Myrtle" ... On how I laughed not !

[FishCalledWonder]

DD was like this. Would not be held lying down, would not go in a sling, would not sleep unless feeding, would not have a bottle, would not let anyone else hold her etc etc etc. She just seemed so unhappy all the time.

By about nine months she was like a different child: smiley, playful, interested in everyone and everything.

Now, at 3, she is a delight. Easy-going and giggly.

I think some babies are just frustrated until they can move or communicate basic needs. This might be absolute nonsense, of course, but it's what we felt applied to our DD.

[DangerGrouse]

Have you tried a jumparoo or door bouncer? They are brilliant for so many reasons. Your baby is at the right age for it now too...

[Roseybee10]

It may be contraversial but I'm not a fan of the jumpy things. May change my mind if she doesn't start chilling out though lol x

[DangerGrouse]

Sounds like you aren't a fan of the constant crying and unhappiness either so you might want to give it a go.

[Roseybee10]

Every baby I've come across who's used one has jumped on everyone's lap constantly all the time which worries me.

[JuniorMint]

My DD (14mo) is like this and always has been- everything just seems like such bloody hard work- screams in the bath, the car seat, the high chair if no food immediately in front of her, terrible sleeper, hated the carry cot pram top but a bit better with the pushchair. Basically just wanted to be carried everywhere by me all the time so I use/used slings.

Now she's starting to walk and gain some independence things are starting to improve a little but I think the main thing that will help will be when she starts to properly speak because I think a big root is sheer frustration at not being able to communicate what she wants and not being able to understand me trying to explain things.

Good luck! You're not the only one. She is also funny, loving, smiley and brings me so much joy.

[DangerGrouse]

Well, again, pick your demons. I doubt your baby can be held by anyone for long at the mo due to the constant crying. Most babies at this age are naturally getting to the wriggly stage where they don't just sit for hours peacefully on people's laps anyway. IF it makes your baby happier but a bit more wriggly that would be preferable to most people but it's your choice. Bouncers are just brilliant and entertained my daughter for ages and didn't make her leap off people's laps lemming style once. If anything it wore her out and made her tired and sleep better!

[PuppyMummy]

I had a miserable baby too! he was never happy. I suspect now he had a bit of reflux as once he could sit upright he was a bit better. he cheered right up when he could crawl and explore things and as he has learnt to do more things he has gotten more content. (13 months now and is still mr moany tantrum but not like he was!)

on the jumperoo/bouncer debate he also hated being stuck in anything for more than 5 mins so it might be worth borrowing one to c if ur baby likes it!

[JustMeAnon]

Re the jumpy thing - I suspect its the other way round ie the child is always jumping, I know, lets get a jumpy thing! I dont believe that in itself it causes jumpiness!

[SugarLumpFairy]

I feel your pain! My dd was like this, desperate to do things herself, screaming in frustration. Now she's a beaming happy 2yr old with minimal tantrums, having got those out of her system long ago!

[Chickz]

Another one with a fussy whiny baby. You are most definately not alone. Jumperoo gave me 20 mins peace a day when she was between 5 to 9 months. It saved my life for a while. But yes the relentless whining fussing crying moaning is just the hardest thing ever. I had no idea that babies could be so miserable.
Good luck I hope things get better. And come on here to let off steam if they don't. There are lots of is who have been there.. and are still there!

[eaiand2]

Oh my god, my baby was like that until she was mobile. Ever since she learned to crawl she is such a happy baby! Hopefully something cracks soon for you, I know how dismal life is with an unhappy baby, but it will pass.

[Runnaway]

My second baby had reflux and was an absolute misery too. She cried in the cot, the bath, the buggy, the pram, the car seat, on other people's knees (including DH's). The only place she was happy was on my hip being walked around. I could not even sit down. I was very slim!!! Friends used to offer to take her for a walk to give me some peace and they would always bring her back because she would not stop crying! I gave her a dummy at about 18 months and wished I had done it ages before. The sucking seemed to soothe her and tbh it shut her up in the car so I could drive without gripping the steering wheel with the stress of her howling. She is still a very high demand child now! I live her to the ends of the earth but my word she is hard work! You have my upmost sympathy!

[Runnaway]

LOVE her not live her!!

[trilbydoll]

You can get things like the jumperoo that aren't bouncy - we have this ridiculous leapfrog dj station that you put them in the middle and they spin round playing with the various lights / sounds.

[HumphreyCobbler]

My dc never went near a jumparoo or swing thing but they jumped around on my lap all the time. I think that jumpy babies are more likely to get put in the swing tbh.

Also, it is woo, but it honestly worked for my dd - cranial osteopathy. She was a tense little thing who ONLY slept on me who changed instantly into a more relaxed baby after one treatment.

[DameDiazepamTheDramaQueen]

Having suffered a recent bout of reflux/ heartburn myself, honestly I'm not surprised babies with it are unhappy as it's SO painful poor things and very hard for parents too.