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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

Demanding? Me?!!!

18 replies

vixies · 07/02/2007 18:54

What, exactly, is a 'demanding' baby? My little one is 4and a half months, and will sleep from 6.30pm to 7.30am quite happily. I do realise this is a situation many would give their right arm for.... however...the payback seems to be that during waking hours he wants constant attention, seems to get bored and frustrated easily and will only sleep, if at all, for a maximum of 20 mins twice in the day.He also cries a fair bit. Come 7pm I'm shattered, and I can't get much done in the day because life revolves totally around him. Should I try and change things, or just shut up and put up??!!!

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Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

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Elasticwoman · 07/02/2007 19:38

I don't think you should try to change things, but accept the way he is and work round it. Do you have a bouncy chair, a sling, a baby gym? Maybe he will let you get on with something for a few minutes if he can see you from the bouncy chair. Just don't expect to be able to write a novel. Baby music groups were invented for mothers&babies like you two. Enjoy your baby while you can. It is a full time job so don't expect to be able to do much else. This phase won't last for ever, either.

IamBlossom · 07/02/2007 19:45

My toby is a bit like this. He is 6 months. Sleeps very well at night, cat naps for 20-30 minutes during the day if that, UNLESS.....I am out walking or in the car. He sleeps then. If I have a day in it is quite hard work. He doesn't cry, just shouts with outrage if I am out of sight. Does your baby sleep in the buggy?

Original poster

vixies · 07/02/2007 19:53

He will sleep in the buggy if I maintain a speed of approx 40mph or above, but again not for long... I can, and do, work around him for housework etc, but it is exhausting! The other thing that sends him to sleep is baby group - we go once a week and he sleeps straight through.....

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fizzbuzz · 07/02/2007 20:50

If he is crying could he be tired? 2 twenty mins nap is not long for a 4 month old. I think they are meant to be able to go up to 2 hours without a nap.

Dd(now 7 months) was like this at 3-4 months old. Would sleep all night, but not much in day or in pram (instant grizzling when pause to cross the road)

I found "The Baby Whisperer" a big help, especially about waiting outside bedroom door just before you think they are going to wake up, and be ready to settle them back straight away. (it has to be STRAIGHT away, he who hesitates is lost in this situation)Also patting and swaddling still helped at that age.

It should change and get easier in a few months IMO

Elasticwoman · 07/02/2007 21:57

One way we had for getting tired but sleep resistant baby to nod off was run the vacuum cleaner! I believe putting them in front of the washing machine can work wonders too. if your baby falls asleep in a baby group, maybe he likes noise and bustle.

Bodkin · 08/02/2007 13:32

Agree with fizzbuzz. Used to put DD in the pram in the living room for her naps at that age, and as soon as I heard a murmur, would leap to my feet and jiggle the pram until she was sound asleep. She would still sleep well at night, only waking once or twice to feed, then straight back down again.

fizzbuzz · 08/02/2007 13:42

Yeah, it keeps you fit, up and down those bloomin' stairs 50 times a day!

Dd now naps normally and well, so it should improve....

Original poster

vixies · 08/02/2007 13:54

Guess what.....he's asleep, snoring his little head off and has been for 20mins. No idea why, but I'm making the most of it...by messing about on the computer.

As to keeping fit..well, maybe fit, but sadly fat too. To keep up with his energy I seem to eat non-stop. I think I weigh more now than when I was about 5months pg. Oops.

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Elasticwoman · 09/02/2007 10:20

How are you today Vixies? Perhaps more walks out with the pram/buggy/sling would be good? Often calms a fractious baby, gets you out, exercising and if you keep away from the cake/sweet shop, regulates appetite. Too much temptation in your own home.

Oh I make it sound so easy don't I?

Original poster

vixies · 09/02/2007 10:34

I think I've made some progress...yesterday, whenever he cried I just lay him down in his cot - a good two thirds of the time he whinged for a minute or so then fell asleep; although not for long he definately had more naps and cried less yesterday. Why do some babaies seem to fight sleep/cry before they nod off? At bedtime he goes straight to sleep in about two minutes, and I think wouldn't wake up even if the house fell down, but in the day it's a different matter. Still, there are far worse problems to have.
Re: the exercise...I know what you say is so true. But Sainsburys make choc-chip digestive biccies that are sooooooooo nice! I will have to lose weight to get back into my work wear. When the weather gets a bit warmer I shall make a real effort. And stop buying biccies...

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fizzbuzz · 09/02/2007 16:26

Million dollar question that? Ds always went straight out at night, like someone had knocked her out, and grizzled all day. She is known as Grizelda, Griz or Grizzy now, although she doesn't really grizzle much anymore. Will obviously need therapy as a result of this when an adult!

fizzbuzz · 09/02/2007 16:27

Ignore the question mark.........

Original poster

vixies · 09/02/2007 18:54

According to my mum I was the same too, grizzled all day long for no real reason. It's almost like he thinks he might miss something by going to sleep, yet like your little one practically asleep before his head touches the mattress at night. God knows where he gets his energy from in the day, not me or his dad that's for sure! Is it just a baby thing, or do you think I'll end up with a hyperactive toddler too?

OP posts:

fizzbuzz · 09/02/2007 19:52

I think the hyper activity is overtiredness. Do arms and legs flail everywhere? If so deffo overtiredness.

I used to wrap dd until about 2 weeks ago when she started to protest v strongly. But before that it would work like magic when she was overtired. Almost instant sleep!

Kittypickle · 09/02/2007 19:56

DD did this, slept for hours at night but hardly during the day. I resorted to one of those battery operated baby swings in desperation, that worked for about ano hour which was a big improvement. With hindsight I'm not sure they are particularly good for their backs but I didn't think of that at the time.

EllieHsMum · 09/02/2007 20:16

My dd is 8.5 months wants entertained most of the day & doesn't sleep all night. Only has 2 naps at the most during the day. Normally for about 15 mins each nap. Except when we are out & about. Last night she woke at 2is & went back to sleep at 530 ish, was quite happy to play during this time. Wasn't hungry, in pain or needing a nappy change. She fights sleep during the day.

Original poster

vixies · 09/02/2007 20:27

No real flailing, but he has eyes like saucers anytime we go somewhere new and just seems really nosey! Today I have left him alone, lying down, for a few mins when he's cried and he's definately slept more. I feel bad now, I was probably keeping him awake in trying to soothe him. He doesn't really like being cuddled much, seems happier lying down on his own rather than me singing to him. Understandable.
EH's mum - you must be knackered! Go have a glass of wine - it's what I'm off to do. Good luck for a good night.

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EllieHsMum · 09/02/2007 20:37

Vixies Dd's eyes are like saucers, she is extremely nosey. Very afraid of missing out, or missing anything. She even moved to one side the other day when dh had hold of her to see what was on the TV.
I am off to have a hot bath, should have done it about 1 hour ago but MNet kept me away. I may take a nice glass of red wine with me. Hope you have a better day tomorrow.

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