What is a grumpy baby?

[KimchiLaLa]

I just want to figure out what's normal in terms of baby crying. Is my baby just a grumpy baby? She cries, quite loudly, when:

her vest is being removed/put on
She gets woken up from a nap
She's overtired
She's hungry
Occasionally when she's cold

When people play with her she doesn't laugh or smile a lot, but if you catch her at the right time she will smile.

Sometimes it feels like she doesn't have any happy moments, although she does smile occasionally (9 weeks)

Does anyone have a baby who doesn't cry at these points? What is the definition of a chilled baby?

sounds like a normal baby to me!! my son is 8 weeks and just starting to smile at others when in the mood. he cries at all the same things you listed. babies cry. it's their way of communicating. I personally think our use of words such as grumpy etc are misplaced in babies they don't act out in the same way a much older child might. it can be hard though when it feels like all baby does is cry.

What age is she?

For the first six or so months of DS's life he was a really chilled out baby, barely cried ever - only when he was hungry. Now he's a toddler and he cries all the time - because he's hungry, tired, doesn't want to go in the car seat, doesn't want his nappy changed, wants a drink, doesn't want a drink, wants to pour his drink all over the floor, etc. Of course he's a wee star really but he has certainly found his voice

So whether she's 'grumpy' or not just now, in a few months she'll probably be completely different anyway!

Why are you waking her up? Not surprising she's crying

and they only just start smiling at that age, you're perhaps expecting too much

Don't wake a 9 week old baby from a nap, that way madness lies.

Are you starting to notice hunger/ tiredness cues? it's always worth trying to get a feed/ nap in as soon as you notice these before it escalates to crying.

Otherwise sounds like a normal baby.

Most people/babies get grumpy when they are hungry/overtired!

They're all different, which is wonderful but frustrating sometimes as a parent. DD hated being a baby and cried at everything until she passed the 9-month mark. She's been incredibly happy since then and is now 3 so although the baby stage was a nightmare we've got off really lightly for terrible twos, etc.

I don't wake her, wouldn't dare! She gets woken by roudy children in the family. I visit the grandparents to get out of the house and they always seem to be there.

I think that’s a normal baby, I would think of me by baby as being grumpy when she’s unsettled over nothing.
She’s still getting used to smiling so don’t worry as it will start coming more.

I get grumpy when my rowdy children wake me up!!!

Hi there, my baby cried more or less constant for about 10 weeks. However when he was 4 weeks old he was in hospital for 2 weeks and was really poorly. He's now almost 5 months and smiles and giggles lots. However he was about 9or 10 weeks when he first smiled. How long is she awake for between naps? My son still goes nuts when a vest goes over his head. Although he's a happy little soul, he can get annoyed very quickly and screeches. I think he just knows his mind!

I would say that's quite normal. People tell me that I have a very happy baby (i agree fwiw) but he cried for all those reasons at that age. Now at 5 mo he more whinges than cries for the same reasons apart from getting dressed which he quite likes now unless he's particularly tired.

Thanks all, glad to know she's not "fussy"

I've got to admit someone told me that my SIL had made a comment that my baby was crying "as usual" and it got me thinking...

She's only awake for 45 mins max between naps. But it can be 1.5 hours when she's overtired and just won't settle (reflux baby, wakes herself up constantly)

Poor little lamb. Sounds a bit like my little guy. I had sone similar comments. I just used to think, oh well you'll not be visiting or pestering me to look after him then... all the more cuddles for me.

She's really young for being happy! Look up 4th trimester.
But babies are hard, and hard work, and I generally felt like I was doing it wrong.... But they get older, it gets easier, 3 months is a watershed.