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Original poster

Not sure what to do with 9 month old

48 replies

MauvePinkRose · 13/09/2021 17:29

I have recently gone back to work after 10 months maternity leave and my baby is 9 months. Once things opened up again I did lots of baby classes, swimming, and lots of walks.

Now I’m struggling. He’s in nursery and I usually collect him at 4. He goes to bed at around 8 (depends when last nap was) and I try to play with toys with him in the evening but he gets increasingly fed up. He wants to stand all the time. I took him to the park in the pram after work but he doesn’t seem to like walks much now - he gets very bored and whingey.

What do others do? Feeling a bit sad about it.

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TheOpportuneMoment · 13/09/2021 18:06

I think you might be expecting a bit much from him. After a day at nursery he's going to be tired, it's full on with other children around and lots of activities. Maybe just try and have some quiet time at home together - a snuggle on the sofa, let him practice standing in his own time if he wants to without distractions, a long bath etc.

Original poster
MauvePinkRose · 13/09/2021 18:11

I’d be happy to do those things, but he’s not really content to. He gets very whingey and grisly quickly. It isn’t that I’m expecting a lot from him, I just obviously want him to be happy and we are in that funny space where he isn’t content to be at home but gets whingey when out too.

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Lazypuppy · 13/09/2021 18:13

You are expecting too much after a day at nursery. Basically home, quick play, dinner and bed basically. Nursery is so stimulating and tiring for them.

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LadyMonicaBaddingham · 13/09/2021 18:14

Mine always needed forty winks at 4pm at that age if we wanted any sort of evening. Could you try that?

Dillydollydingdong · 13/09/2021 18:16

Bed time is much too late! Put him down at 6.00 and see how it goes.

Original poster
MauvePinkRose · 13/09/2021 18:17

I really hate the ‘You are expecting too much’ line much beloved on here with babies.

I’m not expecting anything. I’m asking how to make my time with my baby a bit happier.

Realistically if he goes to bed before 7 he’ll be up several times in the night. So that’s minimum three hours to fill. That’s a long time with a grisly, unhappy baby.

Lady, thank you. I tried today but he’s not having any of it!

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Original poster
MauvePinkRose · 13/09/2021 18:18

There’s no way he’d go to bed at 6. Literally none.

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Oreoreo · 13/09/2021 18:22

Mine is 10 months, I ended up buying a playpen a few months ago that she could hold onto and she practices standing up to her hearts content in it. I put a few toys in too and just let her do what she wants. If your baby isn’t too tired you could try drawing with crayons too? Mine just waves them about but it makes her quite happy seeing me making coloured shapes with them.
Also mine doesn’t have an early bedtime either, for the same reason as yours. All kids are different as are adults. If it works for your baby then go with it. They’ll probably naturally be in bed earlier when they stop day napping and start school etc

MeredithGreyishblue · 13/09/2021 18:23

Ah the witching hours. It's not just you.

I think you can only tweak things and see what works. Move timings of food/ bed / nap / bath til you find a routine that works for you.

Could you ask nursery to drop a nap and let him nap on the way home? I agree 8pm is quite late - getting to 7 nearly finished me off some days! Grin

It'll be a phase that will eventually pass as most do. I know that sounds trite.

Wagglerock · 13/09/2021 18:26

Mine only wants to crawl to chew things she shouldn't - I've spent most of today keeping her away from the shoe rack. I've found at this age they're so focused on whatever thing they want learn next that everything else is highly unsatisfactory. I'd just let him get on with his standing practice while you have a cup of tea!

Original poster
MauvePinkRose · 13/09/2021 18:35

I know, mine likes that too! Smile

It’s weekends too. I’m just not sure how to keep him entertained and happy. It was so easy when you could just walk miles in the pram!

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FTEngineerM · 13/09/2021 18:37

What time do they do his last nap?
When do they last give food?

Original poster
MauvePinkRose · 13/09/2021 18:42

Naps vary according to wake windows. Tea is at 3:30.

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pompomsgalore · 13/09/2021 18:47

I would just persevere with books, songs, rhymes, stacking cups, random stuff from kitchen drawers, peekaboo games, long baths together. Even if he's not keen now just keep wearing him down.

It's tough and it gets easier. X

pompomsgalore · 13/09/2021 18:48

Have you got a baby walker? It's a health and safety nightmare but mine loves it.

Original poster
MauvePinkRose · 13/09/2021 18:49

He does like it but we have carpets so can’t get very far! I wish I could persuade OH to get wooden or laminate flooring.

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fretnot · 13/09/2021 18:56

Do you have a local playground where he could mess around in the sandpit? I take my small one along with older DC after school and she’ll happily spend an hour there.

Original poster
MauvePinkRose · 13/09/2021 18:58

That’s a good idea, thanks. I worry he’ll eat it Smile he likes the swings but not yet able to access anything else! Tricky age.

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mamamalt · 13/09/2021 19:00

If a walker is no good then maybe a jumperoo?!

Original poster
MauvePinkRose · 13/09/2021 19:02

He is the man with everything Smile I think the problem is he wants to crawl but then wants to stand and gets annoyed and frustrated easily.

It’s just hard as he does need to be out of the house but he gets cross and frustrated in the pram. But he can’t walk!

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Goldbar · 13/09/2021 19:27

Take him places (woods, park, playground) and let him crawl about rather than keeping him confined in the pram. He'll sleep better at night with more exercise. We're coming into autumn and cooler weather so very easy to do...all-in-one waterproof suit and waterproof mittens strapped over his hands to stop him putting dirt in his mouth.

I treated mine a little bit like a small dog at that stage (they'd happily crawl alongside the pram exploring) and it worked well.

Pinkchicken85 · 13/09/2021 19:33

Jumperoo saved my sanity at that age. Read him some stories? Do you have something for him to hold onto/push around?

My kids bedtime was around 8 too, it’s what worked for us.

Poppy709 · 13/09/2021 19:37

Lots of sympathy op, my little boy is 12 months now but he was very difficult around that age, when he was mastering crawling and standing. It was hard work!! Over the last month or so he’s settled a lot and started to be able to play with toys for a little bit and just generally just be less furious and better company! With regards to getting out, do you have a carrier? My little boy has always loved the backpack carrier even if he’s been grumpy in the pram, not as restful for you as pushing the pram but might give you a bit of peace if he enjoys it! You can hire them from sling libraries usually so you could try it. On the weekends, have you been to baby friendly soft play? If he wants to stand I found them great at that stage because he could just crawl and stand happily and the change of scene kept him happy for a bit!

Original poster
MauvePinkRose · 13/09/2021 19:39

Soft play is a winner but expensive - I might look into an annual membership when I get paid. And a backpack carrier, he might like that.

He’s such a gorgeous, happy boy, I feel guilty when he is whingey and bored!

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arield · 13/09/2021 19:41

What's his sleep routine?

He sounds knackered