Baby getting frustrated by inability to move about!

[dodi1978]

Hi,

my DS will be 6 months next Sunday (incredible - where has the time gone!) He is a lovely, smiley, giggly little boy. He was 4 weeks early but, in my book at least, has totally caught up.

In fact, physically, he is quite advanced. He can stand with support, loves being thrown around (at the moment, he loves dangling upside down... we have a picture of him snoozing that way, with my husband holding on to his sweater...), has recently cut his first two teeth etc....

Belly time has never been an issue... in fact, he lifted his head at five weeks and has always been good on his belly. However, recently he is getting easily frustrated when lying on his belly and supporting himself on his arms. I think he wants to move about (and I also think he has the physical strengths to do so), but just can't coordinate his limbs enough yet to crawl!

Is there anything I can do to help him? Usually, I just can't take the wailing any more after a couple of minutes and pick him up, sit him in his play ring or on his floor chair etc., or play something else with him. Should I just leave him be to figure it out on his own? I've also tried putting a toy just out of reach, but that just seems to frustrate him more...

Anyway, any words of wisdom welcome! I know he will learn to crawl in time and I am not worried about him falling behind, but being able to do so it would mean that he can play by himself for a little bit longer!

Thanks for any suggestions!

There's nothing you can do. It IS frustrating for them but that frustration will spur them on. Both of mine were desperate to be mobile, especially DC2. He was so determined to move that he had no sense of danger and would throw himself at whatever he wanted until his limbs caught up. He was running by 9 months and there were days I wished for the frustrations of him stuck on his stomach at 5 months.

Just distract and play with him and he'll get there.

Nope nothing you can do! Both mine hated tummy time yet dd2 was bum shuffling at 6 months, crawling at 7 months and walking at 11 months. Not leaving him frustrated on his tummy won't stop him figuring out how to get mobile. Do you have a jumperoo? They are brilliant for entertainment and probably leg strength too.