Or can a baby be too hyperactive?

[EightOfHearts]

This might seem like a silly question but I keep getting comments about my 8 month old and it happens so often it's starting to make me wonder. For example; he's a live one, he must be a handful at home, isn't that a bit early to be doing X, he never stops, he needs a lot of simulation etc.

For context he's super active and always has been. Constantly on the move and just never stops. He won't be cuddled and just squirms if you try.

When I was pregnant he would kick non stop and has reached all his movement related milestones really early. For instance he rolled from back to tummy at 4 days old and started army crawling at 4 months. My husband says I'm being silly and it's a good thing but I'm worried it could be an early sign of something. He does seem really hyperactive compared to the other babies we know (I know I shouldn't be comparing).

I would be really grateful for any advice. If anyone else has had a baby like this, how did they grow up?

My oldest was like this. She started talking and crawling in her first month or so. She was walking early, using huge words as a toddler, etc. Everyone would comment "She is BUSY!" She wouldn't slow down for anything, ever. She's 17 now and about to start culinary school. She would have finished school earlier if not for Covid. I have to remind her it's okay not to be an overachiever all the time. It's normal in the sense that some kids are just like that.

Your baby is happy, healthy and active. That's a good thing. Some people would love that.

This is so ridiculous. Being active is NOT a sign of autism. It's also not something to "worry about." I'm so sick of seeing this.

Speaking as someone who has ADHD I can fully understand why parents would be worried about it. It has caused me difficulties for my entire life. OP will need to give her son specific support and accommodations to help him with it.

It doesn’t mean she loves him any less or things there’s something wrong with him. But any parent would naturally worry about their child being diagnosed with a disability.

Autism is not the only form of neurodiversity.

My DS was exactly like that… just constantly moving… he army crawled at 6 months, crawled properly at 8 months, walked at 9/10 months.

I was worried too, thought he would be a really high energy child and would be really difficult to be honest.

But he chilled out once he could walk. He’s 2.5 now and is really relaxed, has a really good attention span, he sits nicely, he’s careful with his toys. Completely different to how I thought he would be based on when he was little.

Do we always medicate differences?

Nadia Comaneci was an unusually physical little girl

Do we always medicate differences?

If it helps, yes! What's your point?

My now 8 year old was like this. Early with all milestones, a climbing nightmare, never ever still and didn’t sleep through until school age. We have absolutely no reason to believe he is ND. He’s still very active but also very clever and needs lots of stimulation.

My ds was like this.
He was army crawling by 4.5mo, cruising furniture by 7mo and climbing and walking not too long after!
He's only just about to turn 3, but still can't sit still for long and doesn't have much attention span when playing etc, he's always onto the next thing.
I have my suspicions that he may possibly be ND (based on much more than just these things) but it's too early to tell

My DS now 13 months has always been like this in comparison to his peers and I have to admit, I have done a lot of googling thinking down similar lines to you. At baby classes I spend all my time chasing after him while the other mums sat in a circle engaging with their babies. Love him to bits and wouldn't change him for the world but he is exhausting! Nursery even comment on what a busy boy he is

My 14y old DD as a baby/ toddler:

Made noise all the time 'eh eh' sounds when awake ;non stop

Did all physical stuff v early

Eyes v attentive, like a motor: battery, she exhausted me

Didnt speak properly until 3

Seemed super active and bright

Has inattentive & hyper ADHD diagnosed age 11. Chats non stop, high IQ

Imagine yours will be same. Listen to gut!!

My son was like this and I was a bit concerned like you.

no it never went away. He was hyper from birth - kicking and punching every minute of the day, crawled at 6 months, walked at 9.5 months. It was madness.

joined a Facebook group called My Spirited Child. He’s 3 now btw, a complete joy but still full of beans, highly sensitive and a handful

Just interested to know if people with an ADHD diagnosis describe themselves as ‘I have ADHD’ or ‘I am ADHD’.

It's a disability.

I have it and it's been incredibly challenging every day to live with this disability.

So yes, concern would be ok.

Mine was rolling at 2 weeks.

Full proper crawling by 4 months

5 months he was crawling at speed after balls

Walking by 9 months and running by 10 months

never slept

He is now 9 years and still full of beans. Full on sport fanatic.

Loves running, yoga, cycling, swimming, football. Basketball. Any sport.

He is great fun but exhausting

No ADHD concerns. Top of class in school with glowing reports

He is 9 now

DD2 crawled at 5 months, walked at 8 months and was never still. She does not have ADHD just was and still is very determined and active. She's now doing a musical theatre degree.

Ds crawled at 7 months, could walk at 10 months but preferred crawling because it was quicker and he could push a car in each hand. He has ADHD and ASD.

Don't worry.

Maybe if someone helped him explore his strengths he would feel more positively. My strengths have made me very successful in a career I would not be as good at if I was neurotypical.

I have it too and it has made me very successful. I don't consider it a disability so I don't think people should automatically assume it is/will be.

If that is the way you see it that is entirely your right, but you shouldn't define it that way for others.

Agreed. The purpose of medication is not to change the person or destroy the differences but to help the person thrive and cope with various challenges.

My DH has inattentive ADHD diagnosed later in life, currently medicated and the difference is enormous, he is so much happier in himself and at ease with life now.

I've been watching my DS carefully as it tends to run in families and I too had concerns because he was never a great daytime sleeper and was also very active. Now at nearly 2.5 he is still like that but I'm confident he is NT. It's obviously early to say, but I trust my instinct and I can see his attention span is very good, as is his ability to follow requests and structured activities. He's growing up to be a very smart and more reserved boy now, whereas before he was right in the centre of attention and would rarely stay still. I know as his mother he is NT. OP, at this age your DS is too young to tell one way or another, but keep observing his behaviours and interactions, as well as his sleep patterns, it will help you figure things out early on if needed. A lot of ADHD management involves introducing certain day to day routines and habits, it's not always or necessarily medicated. Regardless of what happens, your DS has a great mum who will no doubt support him and make sure his life is easier and fulfilled.

I would say the behaviours you are describing could be perfectly normal and a sign of an active little boy. As he grows up, try chanelling them into sports, eg football, gymnastics, and spend a lot of time outdoors. This will help him manage his energy and big emotions that will start as he becomes a toddler. Regardless if he's NT or ND, this will be hugely helpful to his development. Good luck xx

I say I have ADHD. Because the final word of the acronym is ‘disorder’ it feels weird to say ‘I am … disorder’.

I had the same worry - people told me my baby would go on to have adhd because he walked early and never stopped moving. All nonsense.

My DH has inattentive ADHD diagnosed later in life, currently medicated and the difference is enormous, he is so much happier in himself and at ease with life now.

So it's a disability with a good solution.

Sounds like my DD. Incredibly active in the womb, was very alert and on the go from being a tiny baby. Was so determined to move, rolled over at 12 weeks, was commando crawling at six months and proper crawling at seven. Her favourite toy for ages was her jumperoo, she never stopped bouncing. Would spend naptimes crawling around her cot. It sounds silly, but it never really felt as though I had a 'baby' with her. Talked in full sentences at about 22 months and has not stopped talking since.

She has calmed down a little, but is on both ASD and ADHD diagnosis pathways...