Baby is 6 months - being held problems

[sandradailey]

She really doesn't like it.

I can't hold her and it's just getting worse. We had her home from hospital and she wouldn't settle unless you laid her down. No snuggly newborn cuddles. She wanted feeding but then wanted down

Now at 6 months she's really struggling with being held at all and is most comfortable if propped up and fed, so you aren't holding her

She likes to be on her feet so likes if you hold her up on your legs and let her stand, but that's it. She immediately starts whinging and crying if you try a cuddle

She won't sleep with you so co sleeping is out. She has to be in a cot, with her mattress and space to herself

She won't tolerate a sling. She screams. Has to be in a pram

Is my baby broken? What on earth is going on

My other DC - held constantly really, breastfed on demand for 3 years. Loved cuddles and slept with me. Loved skin to skin. I could just bond so well but DD doesn't want to know

She is extremely happy. Always beaming with smiles. Just don't touch her

I feel really sad typing this actually

Could she have sensitive skin, or something?

Could be nothing just doesn't like feeling restricted or it could be a sign of autism lots of autistic kids are sensitive to touch so for that reason I think you should ask your HV or GP.

My DS was quite like this. He hated any form of restraint - similar to yours he hated being cuddled, held too close or worn in a sling. He was breastfed so my automatic assumption was to bedshare. It took me until he was about 9 months to realise he hated it - he slept through within about 2 nights of being night weaned going in his cot without tears. If I tried to bring him into bed now he’d howl 😂

He was a little different in that he also didn’t like being put down as a baby…his ideal was being carried around at arms length facing away from me. Which was a great tricep work out 🙄

All I can say is that he has turned into a fiercly independent toddler. But, since turning 1.5ish he has got progressively more cuddly. He’s still not an overtly cuddly toddler at 2.2 But he will run over for a quick hug and say ‘love you mama’ before trotting off again. All I can say is he is very sensitive to his surroundings and I think he found lots of physical stimulation too much as a baby - he’s relaxing into it more as he gets older.

How is baby with the touch of other materials, is she OK wearing clothes or lying on a fluffy rug? Have you tried different types of touch e.g some children might hate light touch but love deep touch such as baby massage. What about other forms of sensory stimulation e.g loud noises or bright lights?

Sensory processing disorder can be a stand alone disorder not necessarily linked with autism but it is so early to diagnose anything. I would log in with your GP but also try contacting a private OT for advice as I suspect the NHS will not want to do much at this stage.