Finding my 10 month old exhausting

[StretchyStretch1988]

Just that. I saw a post from someone having a wonderful perfect time with their 9 month old and I was baffled. Mine is almost 10 months and it's go go go from the second he opens his eyes. I can't even drink coffee unless I'm walking him in the pram (and he will only stay in the pram for a max 20 minute walk). He's been crawling since 6 months, but he was quite slow until about 8 months. Now all he wants to do is walk but can only do it if I help him. My back is killing me. He climbs over everything , he climbs the stairs to the next floor in a flash. He can get up on the sofa etc. You get my gist.

He also still wakes 2-3 times a night, I'm constantly shattered and getting fatter. I can only eat when he sleeps so I sort of binge as I'm starving by nap time....OR i eat while watching him but I literally have to inhale my food in record time.

I don't hate it actually, mostly I think it's super cute. But I can't say I'm enjoying it, it's really hard? Am I doing something wrong?

Your DC sounds great and you are clearly a brilliant parent. All I can say is, yes it’s hard right now but this phase will pass.

My second was a very active child and at around 10 months we decided to do some sleep training as we were all exhausted. Our health visitor was very supportive and reassuring. She said whilst you are working at getting them into a different sleep pattern, it feels brutal but if you stick with it, it works really quickly. It did feel brutal but boy was it worth it. Suddenly everything got easier, as we were no longer shattered all the time.

You sound like an amazing parent. I just ate cereal toast and sandwiches during those days! It's relentless but if you want to 'grow a family' - you need to keep going and then one day, you'll be being taken out for dinner or having a glass of wine with the fabulous son you have brought up - mine also rewarded me with a fabulous partner whom is very much part of the family now. Be kind to yourself-as someone once said to me, everything with babies and toddlers is a passing phase. So true. X

No, my ds was like that. Walking at 7 months, up and down stairs, a talented escape artist, in to everything. Turn your back at your peril.

I found lots and lots of exercise was the only thing that worked. Buy some reins then spend your days walking. Parks, National Trust, zoos, get out and walk off your weight while wearing him out. 😊

Unfortunately it just gets more and more exhausting until they start nursery or school I found . Its hard work having such active little ones and not getting enough sleep !
if you want to sort your eating out the best way is meal prep , spend an evening making 4 days worth of meals so you just grab them , reheat and eat .

Is a carrier an option for you so you can get out more ?

Also, stair gates, cushions on the floor in front of the sofa, corner protectors for the coffee table. Focus on child proofing, so you can relax more when you need to.. This stage is exhausting .

I know the feeling! Pretty sure with my first born he was just happy to watch movies with me... second born likes to be on the move all the time. I've just bought a pop up play pen for him, somewhere he can crawl around with his toys and I know he's safe and also can move rooms/to the garden when I need to get stuff done, just an idea.

My two were like this, 17 months apart. Constantly on the move, cupboard and shelf emptying tiny escape artists. It was absolutely exhausting but it was one of my favourite times. They were such little characters.

Do what you can to fix the sleep issues. Mine mostly slept ok. But baby proof absolutely everything. You still need eyes on, but you should be able to have a drink at least.

We had a gate on their bedroom, I took the cot side off once eldest could climb out (13 months 😬), a gate on the stairs and a gate on the tiny kitchen so they couldn't get in

Every little thing that wasn't a child's toy was moved up out of reach for a few years. Make sure your furniture is screwed to the wall too so it doesn't topple if they try to scale it or open all drawers at once.
Ignore any of the "Oh I don't baby proof for little Johnny, he has to learn not to touch things." Their baby probably isn't of the whirlwind variety.

It obviously runs in my family. My grandma had to put a lid on my aunt's cot after she escaped and crawled out onto a window ledge!

I don't have any advice, but I hear you. I have a 15 month old and I'm exhausted. My DD is a climber and she likes to go behind the TV, pull on cables etc. It's seriously stressing me out recently. But I'm trying to find little ways to make things easier and give myself a break. I have a great support network so I'm lucky in that sense. Still, I get mentally drained. Part of me looks forward to when she's in nursery 😂 Still got quite a while before that happens though!

My son is quite like the OP's, and he diligently tore off all of the corner protection! We've rejigged the furniture a few times.

OP - I sympathise. My son didn't get going with walking til 11m, but he was a superfast crawler, and like your boy, wanted to be out and about moving himself at ALL times.

(I almost reached through the phone screen to lamp a MNer who insisted that all babies were equally active/inquisitive, but I couldn't because I was following my hurricane around...)

What I will say is that I have found him to seem much, much easier than slower moving babies from around 14m or so - he is really happy running around the park, confident climbing the equipment, gets over little falls quickly.

My friend's very sedate baby cried three times in five minutes when I last saw her tremulously crossing a toddler bridge.

He's also now so thirsty from all the running that he thinks drinking is really important, and sits me down to drink my tea.

I caught mine with a laptop cable nearly in his mouth the other day. Cannot turn my back! Baby soft play is ideal for this, council-run ones are a few quid and you can at least sit at the side with a coffee and share takes of woe and near misses with other exhausted parents. It’ll pass!

This is why I have stayed off instagram for my maternity. Really can be disheartening to compare yourself to other mothers/ families/ lives. Even with a grown up brain that knows it’s not reality, you can’t help ask yourself why your life isn’t the same. I honestly feel so much better and am happier.. even if exhausted and not sleeping etc.

Thanks all! I should know better than this. I remember being pregnant and someone said to me (a man!) that it should feel magical and the best time of my life and it made me feel SO bad as I was really struggling with PGP at that time!!!

@Jollyjollyjollygoodie he actually sleeps really well when not teething/sick. We've just had a flu and several teeth the last 2 weeks. The flu is what added to me feeling so fed up I think.

@2cats1dog2babies we set up a massive (and expensive) play pen for him but he won't stay in it unless one of us is inside. He will literally scream if I leave his side. He's fine in the rest of the house, I think he learned quickly that I leave him in the play pen sometimes.