9 months an awkward age or is this just my baby??

[Bella8]

Hi, DS is 9 months old and I'm finding him increasingly difficult. Nothing I can do seems to be at his liking at the moment and he's so very easily frustrated. If I put his bib on and take too long he gets upset, getting him ready in the morning he's not happy, wants to be on his playmat one minute than next minute he is grumpy and changes his mind. It's like anything literally sets him off & he becomes really grizzly. At the l moment he just seems so grumpy in general and isn't his usual smiley self. All the usual things me or DH do to make him laugh is met with a grumpy little face staring back at us! It's not teething because he already has 6 teeth and isn't showing any signs. He's also perfectly healthy in every way. Will the little baby boy I know and love return? I absolutely adore DS and hate seeing him like this.

I’ve found we went through periods like this during developmental leaps. Once DS masters something he becomes much happier. At 9m maybe it’s about crawling or pulling themselves up? Frustration about mobility might be the root cause.

I agree with HandbagFan. Mine went through a grumpy phase prior to learning to crawl / walk. It’s frustrating for them when they want to be mobile and aren’t!

Thanks to you both. I was thinking that but I wasn't sure if DS would be crawling/walking any time soon as he isn't sitting unsupported and I've heard they need to do that first? He can do it for a short time if I put him in the position but doesn't seem quite there yet to do it on his own. Lately he won't even practice and just trust falls knowing I'll catch him and arches his back and won't try. It feel like it's more that he has no interest in sitting unsupported. He's preferring to chill on back and roll on front and push up. He's been obsessed with pushing up on his arms or pushing his bottom up but doesn't push his bottom up at the same time as pushing up on his arms. I always heard that sitting came before crawling/walking and that some babies crawling never happens as isn't an official milestone? He hasn't started pulling himself up on anything but does love standing on me when i hold him.

DS was sitting at six months (and for longer spells by 9m) but didn’t walk til 16m. It might not be walking if your DS isn’t there yet but maybe it’s about sitting or being able to reach for Toys etc. It might even just be about wanting to have his say on things!

I’d be pretty sure it’s frustration that building up rather than anything longer term.

Thanks HandbagFan. I don't know it seems like DS prefers to roll everywhere. I can literally get from one side of the room to the other rolling and he also obtains toys this way. He just seems uninterested in sitting unless on my knee. He has started pulling himself up alittle on Daddy and a few cushions but nothing in the region of 'cruising' yet.

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I’ve found we went through periods like this during developmental leaps. Once DS masters something he becomes much happier.

Totally agree with HandbagFan comments above - I have experienced this with DS when he was a baby. It happened when he was mastering crawling, then again walking then again when he began nursery.

I think boys are generally "grumpier" babies ...... that's only my experience though

Thanks SweetMummy911
It's just weird if little man trying to crawl/walk before initiating sitting up on his own as I've always been told they sit first. I think one chilled out stubborn dude who is 'laid back' like his daddy or maybe alittle lazy bless him...

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He's also been up loads more than normal in the night. Last night he was wide awake for 3 hours straight...it's exhausting

Bella8 sleep regression is also typical for development stages - the only advice/support I can give you is that in my experience it doesn't last forever

Also developmentally speaking it's not just his mother skills your DS will be mastering - cognitive skills are growing and he is becoming more and more alert. Speech and language recognition begins at a very early age so he might just be "growing"

Thank you for your kind advice, appreciated. I hope it passes soon, I think this is one of the worse 'leaps/spurts' so far next to the 4 month old which was horrendous.
I just pray little man sleeps tonight. I feel if he sleeps I'll be more rested and better equipped to deal with his daytime antics. He's even taking shorter naps and he was taking two longer ones. Everytime I find him he's on his front pushing up on arms and bopping head banging his head....just wish he'd figure out what he wants to do

worst +