6 month old behaviour

[Jasonh]

Hi all

My wife is on mat leave at the moment, DD has been cranky on and off for a few months. It’s exhausting for her. I take over as soon as I get in from work, help out at night and on the weekends. I keep asking if there is more I can do, but wife says no.

DD has happy spells but just to be everywhere and do everything!

Any ideas of something I can do to surprise my wife, advice I can give her or even just examples of others in the same boat.

For the most part we love being parents, but it’s hardest the thing we’ve ever done (no surprises)

Just wanted to type this out really. Thanks

[Anyat212]

Oh how lovely, I wish my DP would think like this! We also have a six month old and she sounds like your LG! I'm bloody knackered too!

Ideas for surprises:
I'd love it if my DP surprised me with a lovely meal at a restaurant - organised a baby sitter for a few hours etc. I think date nights are important.

A nice hot bath complete with a Lush bath bomb, a glass of wine and my favourite book waiting for me - un disturbed for an hour (bliss)

Advice wise for your wife, I'd just say ask for help when needed. Is there anyone who could look after your baby for a few hours during the week whilst your at work? This will give your wife time to herself to just be her!

Does your DD? Struggle to nap? Mine does and it's getting worse lately. White noise (on YouTube) is a god send.

[Sexnotgender]

Depends whether your DD is formula fed if you can disappear off to a restaurant for a few hours.

I have an 8 month old and breastfeed but don’t express so I can’t leave him with anyone else and honestly I’m not ready to anyway!

Do stuff around the house without being asked. Bring her her favourite wine/chocolate/snack, tell her you appreciate her.

Being a mum is HARD, and can be lonely. Does she see her friends?

[Jasonh]

Thanks for the replies :)

Yeah we both pull our weight around the house, I’m trying to get a promotion at work to take pressure of finances too.

She is ebf but wife expresses so we can go out.

I’ll try the bath bomb and restaurant idea.

She isn’t the type to ask for help and denies herself a lot of things I’m the opposite (hence why I’m posting and she isn’t lol) she made a friend through baby group too.

Just wanted to see if I’m missing something obvious I can do. It’s just hard work al round is it lol. Good fun too but so hard

[icantgetnosleep8]

Are the health visitors able to advise what might be causing your DD to be cranky? Wind, teething, over tired etc? It sounds like understanding the route of this could really help (although could just be a cranky phase!)

You sounds lovely, well done! Meals, sleep, an hour to relax etc are all good suggestions! Also just telling your partner how well she's doing means a lot. I have a 6 week old and can't believe how hard it is. It can be lonely and knowing you have her back and think she's doing a great job can be a big boost.

[Russell19]

Does your dd go to bed early so you can have some chill time in an evening??

[Jasonh]

Yeah I was thinking to ask health visitor or gp in case there is an underlying issue but it’s weird, she isn’t u happy as such just nothing keeps her happy for more than a few minutes. Out and about she loves it. I think she just needs a lot of stimulation really.

She goes to Bed at 7 and we have a couple of hours to ourselves.

I came home to them both crying today, took over and hugged wife and bubba, they both cheered up! It’s nice to have that kind of impact on my family but it Just breaks my heart as there isn’t a “fix” beyond time. I am a bit soppy I know

[Newmumma83]

Ah lovely husband, i take my now 11 month baby boy out pretty much every day for this reason ... he can be very independent but he has spent the last week pulling at my legs to be picked up.

What you are already doing already helps massively I promise.

A nice bath most nights when you take over is great

My husband takes one night a week too so I have a better sleep ( he still wakes a fair bit and has been teething this week so not much sleep all round )

I take our littleone to a local zoo and soft play sometimes too getting out the house helps me breath even if the effort of packing while son screams at me takes me near the edge his smile while interacting with other kids is so worth it .

Clubs if she is ready are great we do two a week one for me ( sweaty mumma ) i exercise he plays or ends up in my arms exercising with me .. with a cuppa at the end as a bonus .

And baby sign language classes ... I didn’t start anything until he was closer to 7 months but it was because that’s when I felt able to tackle a slightly different routine and it does help entertain him ...therefore making my days shorter and seeing his smile makes me feel good and most places offer caffeine

The days are too long stuck at home 🏠

[Newmumma83]

Tell her not to feel bad if she wants to use tv recordings of the twirlywoos mean I get my coffee warm in the morning and 20 mins is not the end of the world 🌎 for the sanity of a tired mum