For not wanting to curb DDs enthusiasm

[TheSunnySideoftheStreet]

My DD is honestly the happiest 7 month old. She has so much enthusiasm, rarely cries, interested in everything.

I go to a music group for babies every week. All the other babies sit with their parent, looking cute, gazing at the puppets, holding the shakers and are no trouble at all.

Then comes DD...

She stands up and bounces, reaches for every toy/instrument. Squeals (very loudly) with sheer joy and excitement, flaps her arms wildly. When she holds the bells she shakes them so hard. Her enthusiasm is clear. I hope she never loses it!

The only thing is everyone has noticed. I have the noisy boisterous baby. The second twinkle twinkle little star is played she will settle right down and sometimes fall asleep, the rest of the time she is like Tigger!!

I'm her mum,so of course it doesn't bother me in the slightest but am I being unreasonable? I don't want to ruin other people's experience at the group.

How would you handle this? (ASD on both sides of the family so wouldn't be surprised if there is hyperactivity, obviously far too early to tell)

There’s nothing by to handle. I don’t see any issue in anything you have described above or understand where the concern is coming from. Those classes are for babies/children to enjoy and no one is expecting a group of quiet babies, wether that laughing, squeeling or crying at that age.

At seven months (and probably for months to come) it’s not something to curb: as previous poster says, activity groups for babies assume that babies will make noise and get excited. The only time it might need addressing is if, as an older toddler, her active, enthusiastic and boisterous turns into behaviour which could hurt her or others.

I really wouldn’t worry, she sounds gorgeous. These sessions are to let them express themselves and have fun, socialise a little. For what it’s worth I clearly remember my DS was the polar opposite, he sat on my lap placidly and didn’t join in anything ever, (Music with Mummy, story time at the library, tumble tots, playgroup never left my side). I was a bit embarrassed at the time. He is 21 now and is still a very chilled out fellow doing really well at university overseas. Enjoy your DD, don’t worry and let her be herself.

She is a baby. It's a baby group. Don't you dare let anyone make her shh...

As long as you aren’t allowing her to affect anyone else’s experience or play with things that aren’t meant to be being used at the time, it’s fine.

I think as long as she's not impacting others, it's fine. And at this age, babies are sreaming and shouting so it's not a problem. You might have to be a bit more cautious when she's older - running around etc. But honestly, even then, I agree, don't curb her enthusiasm.

It's fine at this age, but when she's walking, for the love of god keep her under control. "Boisterous" toddlers whose parents don't manage it are a nightmare.

I expect people have noticed, but no one sensible will mind. She's a baby, they come with different personalities, and she's not hurting anyone or anything, even though it can make you feel very conspicuous. And a fair number of people will be enjoying seeing her enthusiasm and enjoyment.

I don’t see how you actually could curb her excitement- she’s a baby, she won’t exactly understand instructions! I think it’s expected that a baby music class is going to be full of babies being babies. She’s not hurting anyone or spoiling things for the other babies so it sounds fine to me.

I bumped into a mum today who told me that her DS learned to scream from my daughter at the class yesterday. 🤦

@SometimesCalmPerson @MrSeptember That's the thing, I can't be sure if she is impacting other people's experience...I mean surely that depends on their expectations. A bit of baby noise is going to happen, my DD is squealing and waving throughout all the songs. I think it's great she is engaged and happy but I wouldn't want others to be irritated. Then again, it's a baby group.

@Macaroninecklace I suppose I could distract her with a toy, but the whole point only the class is to engage with the songs and music, which is what she is doing so I'm reluctant to do that. You are right though, most of the time it is what it is

@TheSunnySideoftheStreet

Have you thought about asking the person running the group?

She sounds adorable and you seem very aware of not spoiling the group for the others.

IF other parents feel they're not getting what they signed up for, it might be better to try a different setting with DD (not stopping her enthusiasm!!)

@AutumnTimeForCosy24 thank you. That's a good idea, i will have a quiet word next week. I think I'll be able to relax more if I get the all clear 👍

My little boy doesn't scream or make too much noise but god he won't sit still.
He has always hated sitting on me or even being held that much. Now he can crawl he cannot be contained!

I like it. I love his confidence!

Never thought a baby would learn to scream from another baby 😂Your baby sounds delightful and presumably the babies are at different stages of development. Just enjoy it as it would be worse if she cried all the way through. Just wait for " You're child taught mine to say bum cheeks" or worse when she starts school 😂😂

She is a baby acting like a baby at a class designed for babies. You are fine OP, don’t worry.

Talk about a non-issue. People will just think it’s cute!

If you’re overthinking something like this you’ve got a long slog ahead of you with the complexities of school, friendships, discipline and so on.

That will be my child, I can already see it. She spends too much time with her grandad, who thinks it's hilarious to 'teach' her to blow raspberries and 'stick her tongue out at mummy' (I know they are developmental stages, but he honestly thinks he is teaching her to be cheeky!)

I don't think I am necessarily overthinking - just being considerate.

I love seeing and hearing very excited young babies in the supermarket 🛒 😍

"Look DD, a potato!"
....cue squeals of excitement.

😁 adorable .
Always puts a smile on my face when you hear the squeals of delight....from 4 Isles away.😂

She might become a professional musician! Or at least enjoy singing and playing at school. Do you play music to or sing with her at home?

She's seven months old ffs! Who gets annoyed by a seven-month-old baby being excited?!

Honestly no one will care. Probably half the other mums are secretly thinking “oh I wish little Jonny would show his excitement like that”. Babies being engaged and happy is delightful, and the entire point of the group is to give them a space to do that.

Leave her to it, it sounds like she's really enjoying it! You can't really control the behaviour of a 7 month old anyway.

I had an early crawler so I had the baby that kept crawling in to the middle of the circle and rolling around instead of sitting nicely with me!