Baby who doesn't like being 'contained'

[becca3210]

My 8 month old is one of those babies who doesn't like being 'contained'. Often doesn't want to be in the pram - likes the carrier but it is giving me backache. Contemplating those carriers where he can go on my back but wondering if I would manage that myself

He manages 5mins in high chair but wants to get out so is hardly eating any solids Cries if put in a playpen. Cries in the car seat. Just loves being held in my arms or being out and crawling around. No health concerns.

If you have a baby like this do you have any tips? Did it get better?

Yes mine hates being strapped into anything, she just wants to be out and about being independent. She wouldn't even co-sleep, had to be in her own bed. She's 2.5 now and the same, there's a lot of bribery and tantrums unfortunately.

That's interesting mine loved co sleeping but I wanted him in own cot. He doesn't like being in that either lol but I do make him go in.

It is just feeling one of those days. I had to pop out briefly and he cried in the car and then cried in the pram and I just thought for goodness sake!

DC1 was v much like this, didn’t want to hurt my back carrying, so the pram, car seat and later pushchair it it was! Just had to get on with it.

We never, ever ate out!

My daughter was the same. I knew as she never ever used to just lay on her back like other babies! She rolled back to front at 11 weeks and used to cry in frustration that she couldn’t crawl 🙈🙈 for us walking was a game changer. Once she could toddle around and get places she was much more content. Now she’s 18 months and walks all the time and only gets in the buggy when she’s really tired! I also found from about 1 I could bribe her to sit in the car seat with a melty puff !!

We have occasionally eaten out but one of us always ends up holding him as he won't tolerate the high chair or pram for long so not the most relaxing experience! He is such a lovely happy little one when he has his freedom. I just would really like him to be able to just sit in something for a bit without it being such a drama! The jumperoo works for a little bit so that is a bit of a lifesaver at times

Thanks @jblue2018 my son was similar and so chuffed when he learnt to crawl. Now pulling himself up to stand on furniture and side shuffling along it. Think he will be an early walker. Good tip about the melty puff!

@becca3210i expect he will be a lot happier when he’s walking! Try the melty puff in the pram and see if he goes for it! I waited until she was a bit older in the car as I was paranoid about her choking on things when I was driving

My now 3yo DS was like this. I used to stare in wonder at those little babies who would sit on their mums laps and clap their hands. DS would would be at the plug sockets or trying to open the door. I stopped trying to take him to baby classes. He crawled at 5mos and was like a bloody cockroach scuttling around the floor. He's still a full on child now, big highs and lows. The best way to get a back arching baby in to the buggy is to lower the back of the seat all the way flat (if yours does this) and get the straps if lightening quick this eliminates the sucess of the plank method the baby is trying to do. And yes distract with snacks was basically how I got anywhere.

We can now eat out with him (managed a few times during est out to help out) but it had to be quick stuff like pizza. We wouldn't have tried until just before he was 3 though. He was feral at 2.

You get used to the sound of crying

I have another baby now and he's a dream! I'm now the smug mum with baby on my lap!

Thank you will do! Sometimes a toy or music helps in the car depends on his mood. Think he was just overtired today which never helps plus he is constantly teething poor lad

@MaizeBlouse I was wondering if we had another what he/she might be like. Love your description of your older one - can definitely relate!!

My son was like this (he's 2.5 years old now). Me and my husband laugh about it now but actually reading your thread takes me back to how frustrating it was at the time!

I pretty much carried my son in one of those baby carriers until he was too big, only way to keep him content! I think some babies just don't want to be babies, they see older kids and even at a tiny age want to be playing but physically can't yet.
Once they start walking it's so much better for kids with these kind of temperaments (in my experience).
Hang in there! It will get easier!

Thank you @londewy123 I will hang in there!

Yes, my 7 month old DD is the same. For the car, I got her this sort of bendy selfie stick from Very and I put kids songs on YouTube for her to watch while I’m driving. It’s the only thing that stops her having a total meltdown. Sometimes I sing her favourite songs to her while I’m pushing her in the buggy, keeps her quiet for a bit but makes me look a bit cracked

Haha sometimes you have to do whatever it takes. That sounds a great idea for the car

DD was like this. The jumperoo was amazing for her or the door bouncer thing. Rest of time I let her have freedom as much as possible, she's a very confident and independent five year old so don't try to change them

Often these babies have reflux and like being upright. Try an ergo carrier. Saved my back neck and shoulders

Thank you both.

Yep. She took her first steps the day she turned 9 months and at 17 months still sleeps in my arms. She is still only happy in the car seat when I sing to her and she is better when her big sister sits next to her.

Structured back carrying frames are much harder work than a good sling because you are carrying extra weight. We are in tier 3 and our sling library is open so it maybe worth check your local area. Something it can just be a case of adjusting your existing sling but there maybe one which is a better fit for you too.

My DS is like this although he’s ok in the pram or cat seat if we’re moving. We got a baby Walker where he sits in it and can move around and that’s pretty much how I get anything done at times when I can’t let him crawl around.

Definitely get him on your back!
I used a rose&rebellion carrier but there are lots of similar ones.
I would just toss them over my shoulder to get them on my back (from about 8 months with dc1 and 4 months with dc 2&3). Look for “superman toss” videos and practice over a bed or sofa!

Fab thank you!

One of DC1’s first words was ‘stuck!’ Usually said repeatedly, shortly before grizzling / a tantrum!

My dc1 was a Houdini baby! Luckily, she was quite light, so I managed with her in a sling for ages and then a backpack thingy. She still loves being carried now and she is 6! The other thing I sometimes did when she was a little older, and got looks for it, was handed her my phone and let her watch Peppa Pig if I was desperate for her to stay in the pushchair. I know it's not great, but these were desperate times, when the alternative was her emptying all the shelves in M&S, or running into traffic. So meh. I know, I know; "what if you didn't have that technology like so many other mums before you"? Well, truth be told, we would have had to stay at home a lot more. It was that bad. She could even get out of her car seat. Only did it once. Awful.

She is great now. A very sensible, remarkably clever and active girl....not to brag .

No judgement here we have tried the phone in the pushchair haha