Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

Please or to access all these features

Behaviour/development

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

Miserable 4 month old

14 replies

sleepymummy2019 · 22/02/2019 19:15

My 4 month old has been grumpy, fussy and clingy for the past few weeks, and much worse since she had her jabs a week ago.

She is easily distracted during feeds and pulls away a lot, sometimes needing to be manipulated back to the breast multiple times per feed. She doesn’t often fall asleep on the breast anymore, which was how all her naps happened a couple of weeks ago. At this point I couldn’t say whether she’s taking as much milk as usual as she is so erratic, though she’s wetting nappies and pooping OK. She’s been refusing her usual morning bottle of expressed milk. But overnight she feeds beautifully two or three times.

During the day she can be lovely and playful at times, but most of the time she is whingey, shouts if left alone briefly, cries a lot, needs near-constant attention to prevent her getting seriously upset.
She has always been a high needs baby, but never so difficult as this. I’m exhausted with trying so hard to keep her calm.

She has never been poorly, used to posset a lot but this has improved a lot so I doubt it’s reflux. She is quite windy but no more than before. She sleeps pretty well at night for about 9 hours, and naps for several hours a day in the sling or pram. She does seem sadder when tired and near bedtime, so I’m sure some of it is tiredness.

Does this sound at all familiar? I’d just like to know that it gets better from here- I’m finding it so much harder than I did a few weeks ago.

Sorry for the long post, thanks for reading.

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
JiltedJohnsJulie · 23/02/2019 19:54

All of this sounds just like a normal 4 month old. I think if she's bright and alert at times, flop losing her centiles and sleeping at night, you might just have to count your blessings Thanks

AllesAusLiebe · 23/02/2019 20:12

I came on here to post exactly the same question about my 4.5 month old DS. I’m now wondering whether it’s just another developmental phase to ‘get through’.

He’s always been incredibly whiny, but it’s reached new levels over the last week. He does this terrible screeching sound as well, which is driving me crazy. I think it’s probably just attention that he wants, but it really is a tough time at the moment. Sad

I’m also hoping it all gets significantly better, OP! Could it also be teething causing problems? I’m finding that my DS isn’t getting much quality sleep because he’s being woken up with pain.

surreygirl1987 · 24/02/2019 20:09

YES!!! You have described my 4.5 month old to a T. Thank God I'm not alone!! He is soooooo whingy! He's delightfully happy and laughing for periods of the day but otherwise he is whining and grizzling and just really annoying!! I think he may be teething as he's drooling constantly and his finger is always in his mouth. He sleeps pretty well at night but oh my god the days feel loooooong! Its not even full-on crying, just this miserable whinging!! Are any of you based in Surrey? I'm finding it hard to take him out with friends and their babies at the moment because he seems so miserable and everyone asks what's the matter with him. Fingers crossed this is just a (Italy brief!!) phase...

surreygirl1987 · 24/02/2019 20:15

Oh and the screeching too - We have that here. Argh!

AllesAusLiebe · 24/02/2019 20:24

surreygirl1987 unfortunately I’m in Durham, so miles away, but would’ve loved to have met a fellow sufferer!

Incidentally, i met one of my friends for coffee (only for 20 minutes when i had to remove DS for the sake of everyone’s sanity..) with her fabulously contented 8 months old DD. She has PROMISED me that after 6 months, it gets significantly better.

We’ll fall out if it doesn’t! 😂😂😂

surreygirl1987 · 25/02/2019 07:19

Ha! Yes Durham is a bit of a trek. Oh god I do hope your friend is right and it gets better!! He's perfectly content under his jungle gym right now and has been for almost 15 mins but the grizzling will start soon...

Mexie · 25/02/2019 19:38

This is my nearly 4 month old as well - constantly grumpy, comes off the breast a million times except at night. She doesn't sleep though, she's up from 2 or 3am. Losing the will to carry on to be honest.

Mexie · 25/02/2019 19:41

@surreygirl1987 whereabouts in Surrey are you?

surreygirl1987 · 25/02/2019 21:15

I'm near Reigate @mexie - you? I've actually had a reasonable day with him today. Been outdoors almost all day which I find easier as his whinging sounds quieter! :)

Mexie · 26/02/2019 01:39

@surreygirl1987 we're in west sussex but go up to Surrey now and again. Daughter is awake right now and has been since around midnight. Seems she wants to sleep less and less.

sleepymummy2019 · 27/02/2019 21:13

Thanks everyone, it’s good to hear it’s not just us struggling at this age - I hope things do settle down for us all as promised!

OP posts:
surreygirl1987 · 27/02/2019 22:25

@Mexie if you ever want stress-free company let me know... tje babies can be grumpy tohether!
It was a relief today at the mum/baby pilates class I go to as a few of the other babies were crying loads (Not a good thing but ykwim) so I didn't feel like my son was the odd one out for once 😁

Mexie · 28/02/2019 09:20

@surreygirl1987 I relate... I always feel relieved that it's not my baby kicking up the most fuss, and reassured that crying and fussing is normal. Yes let's meet up and start a grumpy baby club!

surreygirl1987 · 01/03/2019 13:07

Haha. Just let me know.

New posts on this thread. Refresh page