Struggling with 9 month old

[knitting774]

My 9 month old DS still isn’t mobile. He can sit unsupported, but I wouldn’t leave him alone like that as he does eventually topple over.

I’m finding it hard as he will lie on his back on the mat, play with something for a minute and then demand something else and something else. If I don’t engage with him straightaway he won’t try to get another toy himself by rolling over to reach one - he’ll just lie there and start doing a really grating half moan, half cry noise until I come and entertain him.

I know it’s my job to do that, but he just seems so frustrated and grumpy unless I’m fully engaged with him and I barely get a minute to myself to do anything at all. I don’t know what’s happened as he used to be such a content little thing.

Has anyone got any advice?

Download the Wonder Weeks. Great app telling you about their developmental milestones that can make them grumpy and grisly, for seemingly no reason. They go through loads of development in this first year.
It can be off by a week or 2 but its bang on for my DD atm.

I had a DS who was lots of hard work. Colic and just a need to constantly be entertained by new things. It was exhausting.

You say you put him on his back... have you tried his tummy too?

Sometimes kids skip crawling and go straight to walking/scaling by the way... he might be doing this...

Tbh if he’s not moving much, now is the time you do have the most time to do something.

Mine is almost 9 months and walking, and god it’s hard work as not only do they demand attention every second, which is obviously normal and fine, but they follow you and hang off you whilst demanding it so you literally don’t have 2 seconds free. Mine climbs in the fridge whilst I try and make a tea, or pulls the toilet roll and towels everywhere if I try and pee!

Do you have a jumperoo type thing for him to sit in a little bit? Or can you just sit him up and wedge pillows around him so he can see a bit more. Maybe he’s just frustrated as he can’t see what’s going on

I do put him on his tummy, but he only lasts a short while before doing the frustrated crying thing again!

Or can you just sit him up and wedge pillows around him so he can see a bit more.

That’s a good idea, I will give it a go. I’m hoping once he starts moving he will be less frustrated (but then he doesn’t exactly seem to be in a massive hurry to move!)

Also how is he in his highchair? Maybe when you need to do a few bits he can sit in there with toys and watch you 10 mins?

And does he have some less ‘baby’ toys? I know you say he isn’t moving much yet, but he might be ready for more than just rattles and teethers now as a bit older. Mine same age likes maracas, a wooden hammer bashing set, hard books with feeing bits, simple peg puzzle with large knobs, simple large car on wheels, mirror, stacking cups. He also likes non toys things that have ribbons or pully bits, baskets to pull things out off and similar.

He is good in his highchair, as long as he has some toys to entertain him. Perhaps I need to get some new toys too, thanks for the suggestions.

Have you tried a bumbo seat? You can get one with a tray. With my first is was great she loved sitting in it and watching us eat on the table. If he gets bored of a toy you could just swap it on the tray. Have you tried baby sensory videos on YouTube? My second DD loves to watch nature videos, just cinematic shot of the woods.. I dont know why Haha she must find it relaxing. We cuddle on the sofa and watch them. We also had one of those door bouncers for first DD we put her in from a young age as she loved it. I totally feel for you it can be frustrating. My first DD was so content and calm, she was happy to be left alone and although she was moving early she was good at staying where toys were! My second is only 3 months but she is very clingy, she whines when someone isnt staring right at her or shes being held. Such a difference to first DD.

Omg, you’ve just described my life! My DD is almost 9 months and isn’t mobile either.. I can tell she really wants to move and gets sooo frustrated but she just can’t do it. She’s very hard to keep entertained at the moment.

Jumperoo, door bouncer, bumbo.. I have them all and they only keep her happy for about 5 minutes. 😂

My older one was the same. I tended to just do chores with her in a sling. Otherwise Jumperoo sometimes bought a few minutes.

Alternative approach, feel free to ignore - read Philippa Perry's book. She won't have any practical solutions but she offers an alternative way of viewing these problems, through the baby's eyes. I find much of what she says quite extreme, but the books has helped me find more compassion for my baby/children during difficult times.

Does he like stacking cups? My DS's favourite game is knocking over a tower of cups after I've built it. When we were encouraging him to crawl/roll, we'd first sit him up on our laps, build a tower, then let him knock it down (with lots of clapping & praise when he did). We'd then lie him on his back and put it to the side of him to encourage him to roll, and put him on his tummy and place it in front of him to get him crawling.