High Needs

[Josiahalertmommy]

How do I know if I have a high needs baby and if I do have one, I need some advice from other parents of high needs babies.

Hi @Josiahalertmommy

I’m sorry but I don’t quite understand what you mean. Do you mean they have additional needs, a disability, etc?

I would consider my DD high needs for sure! When she was a newborn she would have to sleep in mine or her dads arms even at nap times! She would cry unless we stood up with her. Constantly would want to nurse - basically just needed attention 24/7.

Shes 5 months old next week and she has improved a lot. Still needs to nurse to sleep at bedtime/nap but she will sleep next to me rather than in my arms BUT I have to be next to her otherwise she will wake up 😳. Loves to play in gym/jumperoo but if she gets bored she will cry and scream to get picked up.

Why do you think your baby is "high needs"? X

Josiah needs constant attention. CONSTANT.
He cries if he doesn't receive it.
Can only be left on bouncer for about 15 minutes, and that's only if he's fed and well slept.
He sleeps attached to my boob; at night and naps; only way to fall and stay asleep. Will never sleep alone.
Gets bored very easily; cannot leave him anywhere for too long; he hates the Mamaroo and all bouncers.
Needs to have mom or dad in vision at all times.
Seems to only be genuinely happy when he's being held.
When he does cry, it seems as though he is crying like someone is killing him, even though the cry is just that he doesn't want to be put down. He's a huge drama queen, and gets upset very easily.
He seems to have a temperament when he is put down.
Very difficult to feed at times unless the room is completely quiet and no distractions.
Wakes extremely easily, which is hard to avoid since he sleeps on me.
I just would love to know when it will end.
I get jealous of other moms that can put their baby in a bouncer etc, and cook dinner.
What age does it stop?
When will I be able to start cuddling in bed with my husband again?

How old is your LO? I had this with my DD for the first 3 months, she would want to be with me constantly!
It started to get a bit easier at 4 months, she would play in her gym and jumperoo for longer periods which was a massive improvement as she would only be there for 5 minutes prior to this.
Since she's started rolling over and more aware of her surroundings she's a lot more content.
Things will get easier! For me it was when she hit the 4 month mark but even now she needs attention but not as much! She still needs to nurse to sleep (bedtime and naps) and I have to co-sleep with her otherwise she'll wake up in her cot 😑 but I'm just waiting until she's ready really to transition. Stay strong, it won't last forever x

I know exactly what you mean. High needs baby over here! it's so frustrating seeing other mums with babies who sit nicely on their knee or play with some toys while they make dinner. Totally impossible with a high needs baby. DS is now 11 months old now, and its still full on, but more manageable than it was. Don't be hard on yourself, you have to do what you have to do to live, if that means putting them in front of nursery rhymes on youtube so you can make dinner, do it. You're not alone, other high needs mums out there, we get you.