Do I have a hard baby? 5.5 months

[Newmama93]

Hi all!

I see other babies and feel like mines a major handful, wondering if he’s hard work or if it’s normal ? He’s awake by 5am daily, still up all through the night (we are in the middle of sleep regression though so this is another issue) he’s happy with an activity for a whole of 2 minutes,
He’ll then whinge, cry. He needs my attention all the time or he whinges, he gets sick of toys quickly and will refuse to play with them. He screams until he is sick whenever I put him in the car, so I’ve stayed at home to avoid the drama which makes me miserable. He screams at bed time and he has started crying on walks in the pram. I try to take him to new places and show him new things but I’m finding it seriously exhausting! Trying to fill in the 2.15 wake window is like torture sometimes when we are stuck at home, I run out of activities in 30 minutes because he doesn’t do anything for long before crying.

Oh that sounds really tough! I found 4-6 months with my DS really hard... he was v screamy / angry, wanted to be held all the time; I couldn't put him down for a second. It was exhausting, on top of the sleep deprivation. Things improved massively at 6 months when he could sit independently... he was then a lot happier and more able to entertain himself for periods. Everything is a phase, hopefully it will pass soon for you!!

My son was a really difficult baby. Things started to change around 18 months and now at 3 he is much easier. It does get better.

Yeah, you have a difficult one I’m afraid. It’s a shock when your baby (especially your first) isn’t the smiley, cooing baby who’s happy to sit and watch the world go by like you see on TV. DS was/is like this. He was a nightmare until about 6 months, when he learnt to sit. He was ok for about 2 months, then I’m afraid he was a nightmare again until about 14 months when he cracked cruising and then walking. I can already see the fussiness and the whinging returning a bit now, so I’m guessing he’s ramping up in the run up to talking.

Are you going back to work? Not a popular opinion on mumsnet but going back to work saved me. Having 3 days/week where I don’t have to listen to a pissed off baby is a godsend. I took a full year of maternity leave, but if I had another like DS in future there is zero chance I would take that long again. Might be something to consider in the future.

Also, do you have a sling? DS hated facing inward but loved facing outward so he could see the world. Was amazing for getting out the house. We had the Tule Explore but there are lots of options.

Otherwise take any options of help and try and prioritise snippets of time for your own mental well-being. Good luck x

Thanks so much! It’s nice to not feel alone. It’s super hard when we are out with friends and everyone’s bubs are happy but I’m stressed the whole time with my fussy, cranky one haha.

Both my babies were just like this! One got so much easier at about 12 months and is now the most laid back child. My second was a bit of a nightmare until 1.5/2 and is still more difficult than average I'd say. Hopefully yours will ease up soon!

And agree with another poster about the sling - this was my saviour when they were little!

Yes my first was like this. I used to go out on long walks with the pram just for something to do.

He was happier when he could sit unaided at around 6.5 months, then happier still with each milestone after that. He just hated being a little baby.

Oh I sympathise so much with you. I found it so hard seeing and hearing about people's happy and content babies when mine cried and moaned constantly! I found once he could sit up and sit in the highchair that helped. Also my boy is 2 and a half now and the more his speech and understanding is developing the better things are getting. Though he does have epic tantrums!