Is my DS just grumpy or am I doing something wrong?

[Joo1es]

First time I've posted, but going insane. My DS is 5 months and just never seems to be content. He is BF and feeds well and sleeps really well. 7pm- 7am so I know I really don't have much to complain about, but when he is awake it is a constant battle to not have him cry at me. He is happy doing something for about 5 mins but then starts to winge and wants to do something else. The only things that seem to keep him happy are carrying him around facing out which my DH finds really easy but I find awkward or taking him out in the pram, but I need to spend sometime at home.
Is this normal? Parenting has come as a huge shock to me and I am just coming to terms with my change in life, but really am trying to be the best mum and just feel like a failure.

[MamaG]

Jooles I think this is absolutely normal. My DS was the same - he is now 3 and a happy little boy, but he always seemed to be discontented whilst younger.

He would whinge because he couldn't sit up unaided, then when he could, he would cry because he couldn't crawl, then walk, then run etc etc. Once he could do everything, he was fine!

Please don't feel like a failure

[EscapeFrom]

Does he need to be propped with some toys, do you think?

with ds1 it was a real shock to discover such an immobile little blimp could have such a low boredom threshhold!

[maisemor]

Uhh, all the memories of having to walk around with my daughter on my front.

I think you need to look at it as your son being a very sociable person who, like my daughter, prefers "talking" to people rather than playing with his toys.

It is very hard work but it will pass. Think how fit and strong you will get by having to walk him in the pram or with him hanging on your front.

You are definately not a failure. You will get used to cleaning, cooking, doing laundry, shopping with a baby hanging in a sling in front of you .

[meandmy]

babies need lots of things to stimulate them they get bored really quickly! i used to sit dd in highchair so she could see me in kitchen singin and playing peepo whilst washing up! i also loved my sling when she went through this phase as i still had two hands to do what i needed to do!

[ImBarryScott]

Hi there,

My DD is nearly 6 months and very similar. She has become grumpier on getting older. I think she is frustrated as she wants to be on the move all the time, but doesn't have the physical capability to do so under her own steam. I take her our in the buggy am and pm when she is at her fussiest, and yes, the house is suffering because of this!

Some people have suggested baby bouncers/swings (I understand the walkers are not recommended for safety reasons) but we haven't got one as DD is so heavy she is already near the top of the weight range! but perhaps you could try something like this?

[Lazycow]

ds was just like this and he also didn't sleep well so I know how you feel. I have to say it does make me a bit sad that my memories of ds's babyhood are pretty bleak . However on the bright side, most of my friends with easy babies found the trasition to toddlerhood very difficult. I on the other hand, find this bit a breeze compared to having a baby. Ds is still quite a voliatile child who has quite a few humdinger tantrums but he is much happier than he was as a baby. He is most definitely a very socialble child and ds is convinced that he just didn't like being a baby as it was too restrictive .

He took quite a long time to walk (16 months old) and I think he found that very frustrating as things did improve considerably after that.

[Lordashley]

DD was like this too. I get the impression she popped out and immediately decided that being a baby was far too restricting. I remember when she was about 3mths old I would put her in my bouncy chair while I showered, and even with toys and music on, she would start to whine after 5 mins.

She is now 14.5mths old and has been walking for 3 months, and will happily spend half an hour or so pottering around the house playing with toys. I still have to take her out twice a day, though, as after a while in the flat she gets cabin fever and starts to grouch.

[MrsBigD]

Joo1es you are NOT a failure at least your ds sleeps... dd (now a very happy nearly 6 yo drama queen) was awful as a baby simply because she got frustrated not being able to do the things she wanted to. Once she got mobile she was a changed child! I remember countless days of carrying her around in a sling. If you find this too uncomfortable maybe look at a backpack type thing?

DS was much better but then he had dd to keep him entertained