6mo SUCH hard work - anyone else go through this?

[NellyE]

My DD is now 22 weeks, and was always a very happy baby. Now she's approaching 6 months and she always seems to be grumbling and crying. She wants me all the time and cries if I disappear out of sight. She doesn't want to nap and screams blue murder, even though I know she's tired. She's dribbling a lot and chewing on her hands, but has been doing this for weeks, and I can't see any signs of teeth. I don't know if some of it might be frustration that she can't move.
The constant crying is really starting to make me feel very low, and I just wondered if anyone else had been through this at this stage?
Thanks.

Nelly sorry to hear that you are feeling low, do you manage to get out much with DD and have some adult company for yourself?

Think there are 2 things going on here, one is separation anxiety, have a read of this on Dr Sears and the other may be teething, have you tried a teething gel to see if that helps? I found Dentinox to be good.

Hi Nelly,
DD was an absolute nightmare from about five months to six months. The turning point was her being able to sit up unaided, as she hated being propped up on cushions, hated tummy time and hated lying down!

Then again, she was really alert and prone to grumpiness from the start!

Obviously teeth and separation anxiety are likely to be part of it, but in DD's case she was ready for a new skill and frustrated by her limitations.

Good luck, it's really tough isn't it, I found that time harder than with a newborn.

Thanks, it does make me feel better knowing that I'm not the only one. DD also hates tummy time and sitting in the cushions. He gets bored very quickly.

I'm also finding it just as tough as it was in the beginning, it's reassuring that someone else did too.

I am managing to get out and about but it doesn't seem to be making that much difference, to be honest.

Sorry, that should be She gets bored very quickly!

Oh, it's hard isn't it, that bit before they can sit up and entertain themselves. My daughter is nearly nine months and I remember how much easier it all got once she could sit up. (although now that she is crawling about and constantly climbing up onto everything I wish I had a time machine ).

I don't have much advice, apart from visit people!

Your daughter will be a novelty to them, you can let them keep her entertained whilst you have a coffee in peace.

It won't be long until she can sit up. But I feel your pain.

I could have written that OP. My DD is nearly 6 months and is behaving exactly like your DD! I have noticed recently her two bottom teeth are starting to come through though.

I take her out in her pram to get a break. Some days I find it so hard and just want to run away! Then I feel so guilty for not having the patience with her.

Going back to work in a month so should be making the most of it but Tbh I'm looking forward to going back! It's probably going to be harder when I'm back though!

It's not funny, is it? My DD is now 10 months but I so remember the tears everytime I left the room and the general frustration and unhappiness. Some days I felt I'd done nothing.

My DD hated tummy time (and would quickly roll onto her back once she worked out how) but has recently become a bum-shuffler. I thought she'd be a nightmare today with only me for company after half-term but she's as happy as Larry shuffling around and taking all the CDs off the shelves.

It won't be long before yours is on the move and a lot happier for it. Hang on in there and take her out and about as much as possible - I know it helped me.