Non stop baby

[hodgeypodgey]

My DS is just turning 8 months old and is our 1st baby. He is hard work as babies are but he literally won’t stop. He wants to be climbing on me pretty much all the time, he has various toys, a jumperoo style toy and a travel cot he can sit and play in so I can get bits and pieces done, we’ve a sling that he will happily sit in too but he will only last about 15 minutes at the most with any of these things before he wants me. He can be playing with my DH or another family member happily and as soon as he sees me he will cry for me. I don’t pick him up straight away nor don’t leave him too long but he won’t settle unless I pick him up. He won’t lie on his back and is only really happy when sitting or held up so he can stand. I’m enjoying it but am also finding it difficult. He will only sleep either on me or in his pram. When in a deep sleep as soon as you put him down he wakes and cries. We are still co sleeping following safe sleep guidelines as the alternative is no sleep. Anyone else out there with very active babies? Any tips for occupying them/keeping yourself sane haha! We get out at least once a days for long walks and go to a baby class each week. Just want to feel better that I’m not the only one!

Yes! I had a very active baby, always on the move and climbing on things. It got easier when he could walk, as I could take him to the park and let him run around. He's 16 now and still very active and sporty!

No you’re not the only one I had a lively first one and my second is even worse! She’s just over a year so is just starting to play with different toys and enjoy being outside in the sandpit.
We often have a bath in the middle of the day with bubbles to pass the time!
It gets easier and when the weather gets better it is much easier

Ds walked at 9 months and was jumping off the windowsills and climbing the curtains by 10 months.
His favourite game was to empty every cupboard or put a blanket on his head and run around in circles till he was dizzy snd then walk into a wall which he found hilarious

DS3 is like that. He gets shoved in the sling and dragged along with whatever I'm doing. He sleeps there too.

What things do you want to do? In my experience as long as you're fairly active yourself babies are entertained by being brought along for the ride (sometimes literally)

9 month old very active boy here! I make sure we go out every single day, to a baby group, class or swimming etc to help wear him out as he has oodles of energy and a thirst for life! Also use the playpark- even though he is little he loves the swings, and there is a little tunnel he crawls through and I hold him going down the slide. I find the fresh air wears him out. Very similar in terms of sleep and attachment, just means you are his
safety and security- no bad thing at that age. Just leave hik with familiar family members little and often if you can!
Good luck!

Definitely the same with the constant climbing on me! I can’t get anything done at all, as soon as I leave the room she follows and climbs me. Also experiencing the needing to be with me all the time and crying if she sees me when she is playing with her dad or anyone else. It really is exhausting isn’t it!

She would also only nap on me until this week when she has randomly started doing amazing naps in her cot, she’s just turned 9 months so hopefully that is just around the corner for you too!

Thanks everyone, you’ve all made me feel better!

@Kennykenkencat wow! I think my DS is going to be the same! He can’t crawl yet but will launch himself forward from sitting and then scream out of frustration when he can’t get where he wants to go, also grabs everything he passes with force.
@User0ne we go out every day at least once often twice, we’ll go to a cafe or my parents/in laws, he’ll go to my friends houses with me, he will sit in the sling, won’t sleep in it unfortunately. I enjoy doing these things and he does too, really I’d love to get more done in the house but I only manage the basics, put wash on, hang it up, load/unload dishwasher, DH pretty much cooks all the meals (he enjoys it more than me though) me getting a shower is still difficult, he isn’t occupied very long and I’m always conscious of the noise as DH works from home now. Naively thought things would get slightly easier after the 4th trimester!

@NewmummyJ ooh I’ve not tried the park with him yet but I will as I think he will enjoy it with a bit help. He’s good being left with family members so will keep doing that
@MrsB25 sounds exactly like my DS, am glad things are getting easier for you and will be keeping my fingers crossed the one day he too will start to sleep in his cot!
Most of the time I love being a mum but now and again I feel exhausted. I know you can’t compare babies but most I’ve seen (classes or friends babies) lie or sit happily with a toy whereas my DS will enjoy it for a few minutes and then want to be on me, his new favourite is to pull my face up to his, usually by my hair, mouth my cheeks and babble. Its just good to know that there other active babies out there!!

My now 6yo dd was just like this! She used to nap on my knee sometimes and I was trapped. She is still non stop and people comment on her energy which just seems to be never ending!

She did start sleeping through the night suddenly at about 10 mo. She's always been a good sleeper since then. Probably because she never stops moving.

Thinking about it, she started walking at about 10 mo, so maybe the two are linked.

She also dropped her naps completely at 18 mo! Everyone says "how terrible" when they hear that, but actually it was fine. We could do more day trips and things as we weren't tied to the house for nap time. Dh was horrified when dc2 was still napping at 2yo. Thought it wasn't normal 🤣. Had to explain that dd1 is the unusual one!