6 month old so strong & rough

[CoffeeMonkey]

Hi All,

Our little one is 6 months & so strong & ‘rough’; I know he’s only a baby & doesn’t know any different but I just feel like I’m being slapped, kicked, grabbed, nipped, having my hair pulled, from morning to night, actually feel wiped out this evening! 😩😩

Not sure what I’m looking for from this post other than maybe to know I’m not the only one, or some hope that it will get better when he learns to be a bit gentler (wishful thinking?! 😬)

We don’t really have any friends or family support to give me a break & my husband works full time so it just feels pretty full on & exhausting at the moment

Anyone?

I’m really struggling with this today, feel like I’m going to have a bald patch at the back of my head that he reaches for & grabs almost every time I lift him, & my neck is actually red he has nipped me so much.

Sounds silly but it’s actually sore & I can’t even wear my hair down anymore which I used to love doing. I tell him ‘no, don’t hurt Mummy, that’s sore’ etc, I know he’s too young to understand but I’m hoping it will sink in for he does start to understand more.

Tie your hair back or have it cut.

I went for about four years with a pony tail and no jewellery. Couldn't do much about the glasses though

A stern 'No' every time. You could even try putting him back down every time.

Maybe try mittens?

My DD went through this phase when breastfeeding, she’d slap me, pinch me, flail around waving her arms and kicking me, roll the skin between her fingers etc etc. it really hurt!

At 6 months they just have no idea that their actions cause pain. You need to remove everything out of reach where possible - tie up hair, wear long sleeves and necks. Gently remove hands every time and distract with a soft toy or beaded necklace for them to play with instead

Have you looked at local babysitters to give you a break? Does your husband do his fair share? He should be taking the baby from you (ie, parenting!!) for some time in the evening to give you some time to yourself

It's a very long time since my DC were that age, but yes, 6mo they are grabby. They will grab jewellery, your hair, your nose... But you know all this. :) Distraction helps - toys he can grasp and explore, with different textures and colors. Baby bouncers and playpens (baby jail) have their uses.

Are you holding him too much? At that age I’d expect him to want to explore and shuffle/ crawl across the house. Create a baby proofed space for him and let him roam

You will get used to it, each phase is short lived. It's probably frustration, is baby trying to crawl etc? You'll find each time baby is learning a new skill, there will be off behaviour alongside. Be that sleep regressions, tantrums, slapping etc.

I write this whilst my 14 month old is laying on the floor screaming the house down because I wouldn't let her touch the hot oven

@Seeline

Tie your hair back or have it cut.

I went for about four years with a pony tail and no jewellery. Couldn't do much about the glasses though

A stern 'No' every time. You could even try putting him back down every time.

Maybe try mittens?

he is six months old. He does not need a “stern no” every time.

he is six months old. He does not need a “stern no” every time.

I meant instead of long don't do that, it hurts mummy type explanations! No 6 month old will understand that. A simple No, does work - it worked with both mine who bit me whilst being fed. I'm not saying shout at him!

Tie up your hair 🤷‍♀️ That's why mums tie their hair up, I'd love to leave mine down all the time but between getting in the way and being pulled it's not worth it.

Put him down or move away every time he nips at your or hits you.

Thanks everyone for your replies - didn’t think it could be just me who has experienced this but nice to hear from others!

Should have made clear in my original posts that I do tie my hair up, he reaches for & grabs the same spot towards the nape of my neck, often pulling it right out of the ponytail or bun.

I don’t think I’m holding him too much, he loves time on his playmat or will happily sit in high hair or bouncer with some toys while I shower/ do a few chores etc, it just feels like when I lift him at all, to move him from one place to another or lift him to feed or change him he goes straight for the grab or nip!

Will def try putting him down or moving away when it happens to see if that helps at all