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Behaviour/development

Talk to others about child development and behaviour stages here. You can find more information on our development calendar.

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Original poster

Anyone else have a really high maintenance baby (personality wise)?

17 replies

Nikkim30 · 23/05/2012 08:50

Some days it just gets to you...
My dd is 8 months old and she is such hard work, I know all babies are but others seem incredibly calm compared to her. She is an early crawler and into everything, won't sit still for a second and climbs up everything she shouldn't. She always cries to be picked up, and then climbs up me!
She cries a lot, if she wants something she can't have, if we aren't playing with her (she won't sit on her own), and also who knows why!
She is also a nightmare to get to sleep even though she is tired from all the clambering around.

It's lucky she is gorgeous!

Think I just wanted to let it out this morning but does anyone else have a baby like this?

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Original poster

Nikkim30 · 23/05/2012 08:53

Oh, and she still wakes a couple of times on the night.

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comelywench · 23/05/2012 08:58

My DS is now 21 months, but has NEVER stopped! I remember going to a birthday party when he was about ten months. All the other babies were playing happily sitting on the travel rug in the garden. My DS was a little whirlwind after the mop, the rabbit, the tablecloth with all the party food on it, the drainpipe - the list goes on. It can almost be a bit , but it's his personality and he's just an active kinda guy - into EVERYTHING!!!

It was harder while he was small and relied on me for all his entertainment, but once he got to 1yr he began playing by himself a bit (which I encouraged), and once he got to 18mnths I noticed another jump in the duration of time he could play for himself. He's still REALLY active, and I think carefully about where I take him - if it's not toddler-proof it's a nightmare!!!

So I think my point is hang in there. It will get easier as she gets more independence, and you'll just get used to finding high energy outlets for her to do. Gym-type toddler groups are ace!!
You are not alone!!

comelywench · 23/05/2012 09:02

Oh another thing that helped with my DS once he got older was getting him to help me with chores. He loves it and will pass me plates from the dishwasher and empty the washing-machine etc. At first I was "don't touch the plates!!", but I soon realised it was easier to involve him than try to get it done whilst fending him off! So now I know how much he loves "helping" I'm always looking for little jobs for him to help with. We started with tidying his toys

Original poster

Nikkim30 · 23/05/2012 09:13

Thanks so much Comelywench you've made me feel much better. Am looking forward to her learning to entertain herself!

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comelywench · 23/05/2012 09:26

yes it makes a huge difference - I wouldn't have even been able to go on my laptop and write these messages before!!

OliveandJim · 23/05/2012 13:18

Same here my DS 13 months is full on, none stop too. Taking him to the playground or park to let him practice walking works a treat. He has a chance to burn off some of that energy. Also looking out for cues when he's tired letting him dozz off then and there helps avoid the difficult bedtime episodes. Actually sticking to a regimented time table is good for him.

catus · 23/05/2012 13:30

You've got my sympathy. DS was and still is the same. He is 22months now and doesn't ever stop, it is exhausting. I used to feel very confused when he was with other babies and they were all lovely, quietly playing on their mat, or staying on their parents'knees for ages amusing themselves with a spoon. I thought: "how is that possible? How can they not go for the plates and everything else on that table?".
But, it is easier than it was as he is becoming more independant. You've just got to organise things around it, no point fighting it as he is who he is! We usually go where he can run all he wants, much less stress for us.
I second the "helping", especially the dishwasher. He loves it and comes running when he hears the dishwasher being open!

TwoBedsAndACoffeeMachine · 23/05/2012 13:38

God yes!!! My ds1 and 2 were/ are both like this! DS1 was so grumpy and full on from birth. He demanded to be stimulated constantly and I could nver sit down and hold him. Even as a newborn I had to walk him around and talk to him constantly. He had to be in motion all the time and I couldn't go anywhere with him. He was happier when he could crawl but like your dd he was into everything, never ever still, massive meltdowns if he got frustrated with a toy ar couldn't reach something. He was always on the edge of a melt down and had so much energy but was so overtired and fought naps like you wouldn't believe! When walking he was just manic, climbing everything.

Somewhere between age 2 and 3 he just seemed to gradually settle and now he's 4 he's just lovely. Very well behaved, always very talkative and just a gorgeous boy to be around. He seemed to get all his anger and energy put early and is now very even tempered and great aat entertaining himself. He's doing very well at school and has a great attention span which amazes me. When he was a baby I really thought he had ADHD, i'd never met a baby like him and never have since...... until I had DS2 4 months ago!!!! He is a liitle more cheerful to be put down but not for long. Fights sleep and needs loads of stimulation yet seems overtired and grumpy a lot. Anyway long post but hope it's given you hope. She'll settle down!

TwoBedsAndACoffeeMachine · 23/05/2012 13:39

sorry typos feeding ds2 hope u get the gist!!

DuelingFanjo · 23/05/2012 13:42

just to warn you, DS is 17 months, into everything, on the go all day and still wakes up several times in the night

Longdistance · 23/05/2012 13:48

Hey, my dd1 is 2 and a half, and she has been hard work from birth. She is starting to calm down now, but can be full on, in my face for attention. So far the toddler years have been hard, but as a baby, I wouldn't go through it again. Luckily dd2 is so relaxed, and a lovely baby :)
I'm thinking of taking dd1 to a cranial osteopath. I took dd2 for colic, and thinking back feel I should have taken dd1. But, not sure how it works now she's older
Dd1 still wakes in the nite. We get the occassional sleep through, but recently she won't settle to bed, and wakes. Such hard work :(
I'm hoping with age she may calm down, but we've already pinned her down to being the teenager from hell! Hey, here's hoping!!!

catus · 23/05/2012 14:08

Twobeds: You're giving me hope! Thank you!!

Original poster

Nikkim30 · 23/05/2012 16:15

Twobeds you're giving me hope too. Funny I had the ADHD conversation with my husband last night!
If my DD goes through her life with as much determination as she has now she will succeed in anything!!

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Original poster

Nikkim30 · 23/05/2012 16:15

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brettgirl2 · 23/05/2012 20:08

My DD1 was a high maintenance baby. I only realise it now that I have another who is completely different! Its so irritating when people treat you like a neurotic first time mum (and when people tell you your second is easier because you are more relaxed) yeah right. She is still pretty challenging tbh but also quite like me

Myheadmyworld · 23/05/2012 21:59

Ds is the same 9mo months now, first 6 months were hell and I felt terrible that I couldn't gina ford him like my friends did. You could see their disapproval as they asked "are you sure you are following the book correctly?" I have now chucked that stupid bloody book away and I wouldnt change ds for the world, he has so much personality and is developing so quickly. I'm a bit of a nutter myself so I just think he's taken it after me on days like today where I have loads of energy I make it my personal mission to wear him out before he wears me out. I'm getting v good at it

EclecticShock · 23/05/2012 22:01

Yes, he was never calm as a baby but he has turned out to be very bright so don't worry too much, her personality will come through with time, especially when talking.

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