Help With 10 Month Old DS- Please!

[chinchi]

DS will be 10 months old next week, although he was born 10 weeks premature.

Lately he is becoming increasingly irritable. He has a very short attention span, and depsite changing his toys and having a Baby Einstein play gym, he becomes grumpy and grizzly after 10 minutes play.

He whimpers when I leave the room, and I constantly have to shout out to him or sing to let him know that I havnt gone far.

He still hasnt cut any teeth, and is having trouble passing stools. He screams when pooing as they are like small pebbles HV recommended prune juice, and Ive already tried orange juice, but he wont entertain anything other than water.

We are using Anbesol for his teeth, which has helped in the past, but seems to be doing nothing this time.

DH and I are having trouble understanding whether its either, or both of these causing his restlessness, or just the fact that he needs more stimulation than what he is already getting at home.

He is fine whenever he goes out in the car, so I often think that his tummy/bottom/teeth cant be the major problem.

Does anybody have any advice for me please?! He sleeps through for 10 hours at night, so I cant complain about lack of sleep, but Im 14 weeks pregnant and really struggling with constantly picking him up to walk him round the house from room to room in the hope he'll be happier

Please?! Anyone?!

Is he getting enough sleep during the day? On average (obviously they are all different) at this age they should be having two naps of about 1-2 hours each.

Plenty of water and fruit other than bananas should help his constipation.

10 months is a tricky time. They become more aware and it is a typically clingy time.

Is he sitting up yet ot crawling (he might not be as he was quite premature)

I ask this as I found with my 2 that they spend a few months getting quite frustrated at not being able to do more and you might find that he will be less grumpy when he is a little more moblie (having said that, that is harder in a way for you as safety becomes more of an issue.)

He has 3/4 naps a day of 30 minutes to an hour each time.

He has just mastered sitting and I can tell he is trying his best to get going with the crawling!

He has an appointment with a children's therapist in July due to a cyst on his brain at birth, which the consultant thinks has affected the use of his left arm (he prefers his right side and has trouble opening his left hand fully at times).

I cant really afford to be spending much on new toys at the moment (been buying for his birthday as were away visiting in-laws for 2 months, and need to take his presents with me!), yet still want to visually stimulate him.

Whoever said parenting was easy was having a laugh!

Yes agree this is a tricky age. My ds2 is 9m months and has started the clinging grizzling phase, I remember it first time. Frustrations with not being able to do things yet I think.

If he's crawling, encourage him to follow you. I'm always calling and patting my knees like mine is a puppy, saves your back.

Teeth and poohs don't help of course. A snack is a great distractor. I have a couple of safe cupboards in the kitchen (one with baby plates, spoons etc) which I let him stand up and plough into. Also, they always seem to like a metal spoon at this age (!)

Sounds like you're doing a great job. This too will pass!

Sorry, just seen your post re not crawling yet!

Oh sorry you're having such a hard time! My ds was very very very similar to this (except the constipation). Basically, he whinged and moaned every 5-10 mins unless I was walking around with him. He cried at anything and everything and was always pretty high maintenance (except for night time when he slept 11 hours).

Anyway, he dramatically improved after he got mobile and started crawling at 9 months. He was always just such a grumpy, frustrated, miserable little boy but now he is far far more settled. he entertains himself and smiles so much more.

Is your ds mobile yet? Sounds like he may be clever and his body is not keeping up with his ambitions! Especially since he is fine when you are out and about and he is on the move.

Whatever the reason, I hope it improves soon.

Also try putting him in a backpack around the house, keeps my whinger quiet while I make tea.

Thanks jellyrolly

It will help being with the in-laws as theyve not seen him in 6 months and MIL is dying to get stuck into entertaining him!

I can tell he is frustrated, although up until now its been hard to figure out why! Im glad (although not for you other Mums suffering!) that Im not alone with this!

He is forever rolling onto his front and trying to get going. Ive also been trying to get him used to putting weight on his feet in the standing position but he still only wants to be on his tip toes should I be worrying about this?

You can tell he is a PFB

Thanks too violetsmile

I guess my next job is to keep encouraging the crawling! Im sure that will help loads and give him the freedom he is searching so much for!

It must be hard for him as his mind is 10 months old and he's ahad all the experiences of a ten month old, yet his little body is only 7.5 months old so he is probably just a frustrated soul like my ds was. Has he always been high needs or was he settled until recently?

Doesn't pebbly poo mean wind? I've just had something similar with ds also 10m.
I laid him on my lap and moved his legs in a cycle motion to try to relieve stomach ache, rub belly clockwise as helps digestion.
I went to gp as ds had same trouble passing stools. Was given sappositaries(sp?) gave him 4 over 2 days and fine now.
If he teething, he will prob get belly ache's etc as well. give lots of fluids.

DS has only just started crawling and would forever roll on stomach to then scream in frustration that he couldn't work out what to do next

Tip toes very common I think.

Funnily enough my 9mnth old has just taken his first steps, ds1 was the same, and I look at non-movers with envy as I can't keep mine still. Grass is always greener to the overtired mother.