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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To need help from you quickly.

46 replies

stivesholiday · 19/05/2014 20:16

My lovely 7 month old nephew is here for the night. 1st time I've looked after him. His mum and dad are out for the night.

I have 3 children, youngest is 6. Surely I can't have forgotten it all already.

My nephew hasn't stopped crying hysterically. I've tried to feed him the food she left, tried the expressed bottle. I've cuddled him. I've gently bounced him. I've sung to him. I've rocked him in his pushchair.

I really want this evening to go well as I really want them to allow me to spend more time with him.

He's filling himself up with air from all the crying. Farting like a trooper.

Help. What can I do.

I am not going to phone and spoil their night out.

OP posts:
Original poster
stivesholiday · 19/05/2014 20:18

He seems to be quietening, albeit very slightly, since I started to type this and put him down in his pushchair. Still grumpy. He must be hungry as he hasn't eaten due to the crying. AHHHHHHHH

OP posts:
springbabydays · 19/05/2014 20:18

Separation anxiety combined with change of routine. Is he ever left with anyone else? Does he do the same with them? Are you expected to put him to bed?

ChazzerChaser · 19/05/2014 20:18

Honestly, I'd want you to phone me. If I knew you'd let him get really upset without calling me I'd be less likely to leave him again. But that's me. I didn't leave mine till much older.

BuilderMammy · 19/05/2014 20:20

It's very late for a 7 month old to be up, I'd say he's a bit overtired as well as missing his mum. If he's happy in his nice familiar buggy I'd probably try and push him around in that for a bit and see if he falls asleep.

Don't panic! They don't break easily.

StillStayingClassySanDiego · 19/05/2014 20:20

Give him a warm bath?

Trapped wind? Lie him over your knees and massage him back up and down hus spine?

puntasticusername · 19/05/2014 20:21

Oh, bless the poor little chap.

Bath? If you can do it without waking your DC?

Is there another adult in the house who could stay with your DC while you walk DN out in the pushchair? Change of scene/walking/fresh air might help him relax and drop off?

Good luck!

ShotgunNotDoingThePans · 19/05/2014 20:21

Is he breastfed? You mentioned the bottle of expressed milk. I wonder if he's never taken a bottle before?

If that's the case, I'd guess the mum would much rather you called so she could put him out of his misery.

missuswife · 19/05/2014 20:21

Teeth?

cerealqueen · 19/05/2014 20:21

I would keep shushing, singing, soothing, cuddles.
Does he have a dummy, cuddly toy he likes?

Don't phone just yet......

callamia · 19/05/2014 20:22

Is he distractible? My seven month old is a sucker for something to play with, failing that a walk in his pushchair - especially if he's overtired - you can make it dark and cosy and he might drop off. Poor thing if he's hungry though - does he not have a bottle often? Poor you too - it's awful to be in charge of a baby that you can't seem to calm.

ShotgunNotDoingThePans · 19/05/2014 20:23

Oh, and I agree with ChazzerCase. You don't say how long he's been crying but it's not nice for him, is it?

AndiPandi · 19/05/2014 20:27

Try rubbing his tummy in clockwise circles to help with wind

PrincessTeacake · 19/05/2014 20:27

Bring him into the kitchen and turn on the taps.

Carry him around the house swaying gently from side to side.

Trace circles in the centre of his forehead.

Put him across your knees and very gently pummel his back ( they love the sensation and it helps with wind.)

Lift a blanket into the air and bring it down on him gently.

If none of this works, call mother.

Gileswithachainsaw · 19/05/2014 20:28

Cool bath? Might be soothing

Original poster
stivesholiday · 19/05/2014 20:29

They left toys but he is too hysterical to play. He is whimpering in his pushchair. He is breast fed and just started food. They left a high chair but after trying to feed him in that I thought better on my lap having a cuddle whilst fed. No better!

I changed him hoping that would snap him out of it as I used to do that with mine.

I don't want him to associate me with a bad experience. I was really looking forward to this. But I know I'm on trial to see if I'm okay, he is okay etc. I wanted to pass! If they come back to no food or bottle taken they will really worry.

My middle child is jealous too.

I'm standing by the push chair typing on my iPad.

No other adult, my duh is at work, back at gone 10!

OP posts:
BrunoBrookesDinedAlone · 19/05/2014 20:30

If he was mine I'd want you to call me!

StillStayingClassySanDiego · 19/05/2014 20:32

Call her.

spiritofthetime · 19/05/2014 20:34

Can you go out in the garden? I used to find with mine, sometimes a change of air from indoors to outdoors was enough.

iwanttobeadragonthisyear · 19/05/2014 20:34

Call his mum, let her decide! I wouldnt leave him again if i knew you wouldnt call me

wheresthebeach · 19/05/2014 20:34

What about rocking in a dark room with music playing?

cerealqueen · 19/05/2014 20:34

How long has he been crying for?

ChazzerChaser · 19/05/2014 20:35

For me the test would be whether you called if he needed me and you'd be failing right now. I'd need to know I could trust you to put the needs of my baby before anything else.

Nutellanutellanutella · 19/05/2014 20:36

Get off your iPad and call his mum, I would be very unhappy if a babysitter didn't notify me of prolonged crying. He is very little still and most likely missing his mummy, a good bf and his familiar surroundings.

I'm sorry but your posts sound like it's all about you and how you feel disappointed Hmm. It's not about you "passing a test" it's about the baby boy feeling safe and secure. Call his parents.

Nutellanutellanutella · 19/05/2014 20:37

"For me the test would be whether you called if he needed me and you'd be failing right now. I'd need to know I could trust you to put the needs of my baby before anything else."

^^
I simply couldn't agree more.

NaturalBaby · 19/05/2014 20:38

hold him tight against your chest like he's in a sling/carrier and walk up and down the stairs, bounce quite firmly on each step while sshing or humming.

Or hold him on his side and sway him side to side while sshing, try and wrap him up or hold him tight.