Help feel like I can't do anything right

[BabyshamBambi456]

Hi there,
I'm at my wits end with my 6mo DS, I feel like I never seem to be able to make him happy. He doesn't seem to enjoy anything a baby "should" he doesn't enjoy massage,he has a bouncy chair and jumperoo both of which he hates and cries if he's in for more than ten minutes (on a good day), he doesn't enjoy being on his tummy, even when I do activities with him which I say he likes such as swimming or singing what I mean is be will do those without crying but I hardly ever get a smile or laugh out of him. It's awful him spending so much time in a day unhappy and I'm worried that I've got into a vicious circle. I really hope someone can help as I feel pretty bad about this.

Lots of sympathy, it is soul destroying looking after an unhappy baby.

Has he always been like this or is it a recent thing?

Lots of babies don't enjoy being on their tummy. My DD didn't, she also didn't like baby massage and by 6 months she found her bouncy chair boring. What she really liked at that age was being carried around and shown things (mirrors, windows, shiny things). Exhausting!

Can your DS sit up yet? My DD was a lot happier once she learned to sit up at just past 6 months.

Thanks mini I just worry that I'm making him unhappy in some way. He has always been a bit like this, I think you could be right about the sitting up; he was quite bad at around 2 months then got better when he could hold things and get them to his mouth and he also love being carried and shown things, although again I say love I mean he doesn't cry when I do this, it's so hard to get him to smile. I suppose they've all got their own personalities but I'm finding it difficult without positive reassurance!

Honestly just because he isn't smiling or laughing doesn't mean he's not happy. Some people (adults included) just don't smile as much - he may just be concentrating really hard on the world! He can clearly tell you when he's unhappy by crying so I'd just assume that if he's not crying he is happy .

It sounds like he is a bit like mine, and will love getting older and being able to do more.

Sympathies. :( Have you tried wearing him in a carrier like a Connecta where he can just chill out snuggled next to you? That worked a treat for me.

It is not your fault, honestly. Some babies just get v easily bored or restless. It can be very very hard when all around you there appear to be much more easily pleased babies. You are not alone though! As someone already said, once they are sitting up, then crawling or cruising, it becomes much easier to entertain them, even if they still get easily fed up or bored. Also, babies are just more smiley than others, and it doesn't always mean they're happier. Plus they can change so much in a few weeks so hang on in there!

I have 3 DCs and they all hated being on their tummies and would not tolerate a bouncy chair or baby gym for any significant time at all.

It becomes massively easier when they can sit up, I promise you. Have you considered a decent sling in the meantime.

Thanks everyone, it's good to have some reassurance :-)
tryharder and linga yep we had a bit of a battle at first, including a connecta which he hated but we are now using a Bondalina which he likes and I've often put him in that for a bit of a break, also have a hip sling for when I need to do a bit of cooking or whatever. I'm sure he will be a lot better when he can get around on his own steam, he just gets bored really easily; we've just started weaning and it's the first time DH and I have had dinner in peace as DS was sat in his high chair with mashed sweet potato and a tommy tipper to keep him occupied! I'm really glad it's not just me, it can feel really bad when it seems like you're the only one. Thanks again

If it makes you feel any better my dd was like this, she never smiled as a baby, and she is now a lovely happy toddler. It happened gradually, the more he can do, sitting, crawling, walking etc- the happier he will probably get.