Worried about 8mo DD

[shelbeee]

I am worried about my DD’s behaviour and don’t feel family other than DH are taking me seriously! She’s my second and so different from DS but I’m trying not to compare.

She is so so restless in the day, nothing occupies her for longer than a couple of minutes. She crawled just before 6 months and is now practicing standing alone and doing a lot of coasting around the furniture, or climbing up anythjng she can find. Despite babyproofing she can always find something dangerous and I’m living life at the edge of my sanity! She’s not interested in toys/books, sitting in the pushchair or high chair seems to infuriate her instantly. She’s not a great sleeper and won’t have a bottle so it’s not helping that I’m
Not getting loads of sleep. I feel terrible that I’m waking up dreading the day ahead! I took her to be weighed and it really hit home how wriggly and uncontented she is next to the other babies that were there.

Is this normal?

Does she show any signs of silent reflux or allergy? Does she appear to be in pain or discomfort?

It sounds quite normal but equally could be a discomfort thing.

She’s not unhappy as such just has no attention span whatsoever and is wanting to be always on the go. She’s very attached to me and happy for a bit in the sling. She’s also very vocal, always shouting or babbling.

I meant to say in my first post, breastfeeding her is like a session in baby gymnastics, apart from at the feeds in the night she’s very twisty, pinchy, very easily distracted.

That doesn't sound abnormal at all... although impressive physical abilities! Sounds like you had a very easy baby first time round and now you have a more difficult one! As long as she's happy and seems healthy and meeting milestones I don't see why you are worried?

My boy is just like that but can't crawl yet. Except he also used to be really misrtsblr until we realised he had some intolerances. Now he's just a really active baby. Some people call this type of baby 'spirited'- they are often louder, more active and really hard work!

Hi Shelbee, I'm sorry that you are worried about your little one. From your post your DD sounds just like my DS, only he is a little older (10months) He is constantly on the go; pushing over my houseplants and throwing the dirt around is his newest game he is trying to walk and falls pretty much daily. I'm in a constant state of panic trying to stop some kind of injury. He will not sit and play with any of his toys, he only wants to walk / faceplant... or cruise / climb all over the furniture. He won't sit on my lap or anyone else's ever! And has been this way for months. I think some babies are just super active and want to test their new skills out. I'm convinced when he is a more confident walker, it will be a little bit less worrying.
It must be tough having two LOs and having to deal with such an active baby! Hang in there though. It's probably just her personality and nothing to worry about. She's obviously a bit more hyper then Your first DC. Sorry I don't have any advice! But i can definitely relate. xxx

Aww hello fellow super mama of an active exhausting baby my DS is 7 months, crawling from 6. Always on the go. BF him feels like being attacked by a small animal. He's always breaking things, he's very strong and is absolutely nothing like my DD used to be as a baby. Your post could have been written about my LO. I think it's normal. Hope so anyway!

Thanks for your reassurance! Nice to know I’m not alone. I guess I’m worrried that she’s hyperactive and I also worry that I’m boring her! And I’m feeling pretty drained each day - it’s rather intense! But she is lovely and her personality is awesome, just didn’t realise how chilled my first was until this one came along!

Oh the number of times I have googled 'does my baby have ADHD'!

I'm always drained and exhausted by the end of the day - he is so so intense! But I'm a first time mum so I have nothing to compare him to really... I didn't realise some babies could be calm and chilled out until I started attending baby classes and got a shock when I saw them all laying there peacefully while my boy kicked and wriggled for an hour straight then cried because he'd worn himself out! 🤦‍♀️ you are most certainly not alone!

By the way, to reassure you, from what I've researched there is no scientific link between an active baby and clinical ADHD.

Also, try this quiz... I bet you get Spirited
www.figur8.net/2007/05/28/whats-your-babys-personality/

That was my son! Everyone else got to sit down and do activities at classes whilst I was off chasing him round the room! He’s 16m now and still super active but will focus on things (briefly!) if he’s interested in them. I think it’s easiest to lean into the wind where you can; try to do active things like soft play etc or chase her round the room (or better still get your eldest to do it!). If she likes making a mess try doing messy play if you can. Doesn’t have to be ridiculously messy - a pot full of dry pasta can be super interesting, but I’ve also used sand, water, oats, couscous and even just tissue paper. It’s definitely the type of activity that my son enjoys the most though I don’t remember whether he would have really liked it at 8m...

I’m definitely finding it easier now he is walking so hopefully you will too!