7 month old miserable and frustrated

[Gemmaemilyx]

Has anyone else had a 'high need' baby? My 7 mo daughter is so miserable and has been for a few month. She seems frustrated constantly and I'm pulling my hair out everyday. She will sit and play for a couple minutes max then scream the place down. Won't tolerate being away from me in a jumperoo/ Walker. I'm even finding it hard to go to the loo without her screaming. My partner works long hours so by the time he's home she's asleep. I try using the carrier which she loves but would be in it all day if she could but it hurts my shoulders and back and I can't stand up all day. I'm at my wits end!

She's bf and used to sleep well until 4 month regression. Usually waking up once at 4am or not at all- thought I'd hit the jackpot! But since Christmas she wakes up anything between 15 mins-2hrly. Resorted to co sleeping but it's not comfortable at all!

Feel like I'm doing nothing but moan but I'm at my wits end!

She's trying desperately to crawl but not yet grasped it. Can sit independent since 5 months. Only has 3x 30 min contact naps a day. Won't tolerate the cot at all.

Please tell me someone's been through this and there's light at the end of the tunnel (hopefully soon!!)

No real advice but I hear you. My baby's similar age and also naps only 3x30 min.. it's very frustrating. He's grumpy from midday onwards, I recon from the lack of sleep. I guess we can only ride it out?

@Dahlia5 oh it's stress isn't it! My friends 4 month old came over today who was so chill and didn't make a peep- all smiles ! Safe to say I was extremely jealous 🤣🤣 good luck 🤞🏼 hopefully it won't be long!!! Xx

Both mine were awful until they could move around themselves.

I hate to break it to you but that sounds totally normal to me.

If the carrier is hurting your back/shoulders it isn't fitting/fitted properly - you could visit a sling library/consultant for advice and that should sort it.

From experience you'll probably find baby much more placid if you crack on with things with them in tow instead of expecting them to play/trying to entertain them. Go for a walk, do some gardening, go to a playgroup (for a coffee and a chat, not for your baby who won't be interested until she's around 2). Getting out the house makes most days much easier

If that makes you feel better - that 4 month old may still turn into a little terror very soon

I’d say she’s overtired. At that age they definitely need two big sleeps. Ideally over an hour each.

Do you have to stay standing with the sling? Once she drops off can you sit down? Just undo it a bit so she doesn’t get too warm.

What about the pram or a drive?

My experience is that each phase is so short lived that it’s not really worth fighting. Babies do what babies do and it’s all normal. Hard work but normal.
She clearly really loves you so you’re doing something right!

Oooh Thankyou I didn't think about it being poorly fitted. Only trouble is I can't sit down with her she wants to be constantly stood up, so ideal when I'm getting on with tasks but can't do it alllll day. Can't even make a decent dinner for my eldest at the moment (not safe to cook with the sling) Wish I was being dramatic but she's just a little leach 🤣

She is much better when we're out and about. Will go for more walks now the weather seems to be brighter.

Hoping it's just a phase. emotionally drained right now.

Xx

@Daydreamsinsantafe ahh thanks for your advice. I do try and get her to sleep longer but she won't - she sleeps around 10/11hrs at night but very broken so I think she probably is really overtired.

Feel like I'm doing this mum thing all wrong!

My eldest is 9 and I was 18. Don't know how I got on with it so easily! I'm 28 now and have hourly break downs 🤣🤣

Xx

I'm with you on this and I'll be watching the feedback for tips - could have written this post myself, my 7.5mo hasn't slept well since about 8 weeks old. I literally am like a walking zombie and having the same frequent wake ups at night as you (also EBF).
She literally is trying to either bite, climb on me or rub her face into everything all day long. We have already got 6 teeth through and I'm putting a bet that we're getting 2 more through now 😩

I have literally been googling why is my baby so hyper and cranky all evening 😂

You must be absolutely knackered.

My boy was (and still is) a stage 5 clinger. I introduced a comforter which he got really attached to and was then able to self settle which really helped with the sleep. Hello 1.5hr naps!
I does sound like she might be overtired. Especially if waking all night.

He was also really irritated when he was trying to learn to crawl so give lots of practice.

Good luck xx

@daisyflowergirl hahaha me too! All old posts so thought I'd make my own.

Wow so many teeth! We're yet to get one yet!!

I don't know about you but smiles are a rarity lately and laughs are unheard of. I just have no idea what's making her so miserable.

Like you, my daughter is just trying to pull herself up on everything, throw things, grab my face all aggressively and whinging whilst doing so!

Love her to bits but some days like today take their toll.

Xx

How long have you been weaning her for? My brother was a miserable little boy which my mother now puts down to a dairy intolerance - he grew out of it by the time her was 10 and was a lovely teen but she couldn't put him down even to go for a wee when he was a baby! Could it be some dietary influence perhaps?

Cracking the sleep things can only help. I think now would be a good time for a comforter. Carry it round in your bra for a day or 2 before you introduce it so it properly smells of you.

Have you tried back carrying?

@Geranium1984 oooh that's interesting! How did you introduce the comforter?? At the moment I'm trying anything I can 🤣🙌🏽

Whilst people say it's normal I'm not sure if it's completely normal for her to be upset 24/7... so will try anything to make her happier for her sake not just mine!

Xx

I should say I am also blessed with a ratty 7m old and back carrying has saved me this last month or so. Even feels like I'm alone sometime

@Sackofnickles oooh interesting! I haven't tried yet. Do you have to stand up all day? Sometimes I just want to sit down with a cuppa for 5 mins or eat lunch which isn't stood up and one handed ... but it's not doable.

Feel like the days are so long, don't have too much support. My sister is at uni, see my mum often but she's disabled so can't carry her to relieve me for 5 mins and all my friends work
queue the violin

Just hoping it's all short lived and happy when more mobile. 🤣

Currently on 3rd wake up of the night and we're 2hrs into bed time.

Xx

@SuperSocks interesting you mention allergies she's actually been diagnosed with a milk allergy so we need to avoid all cows milk.
They dieticians have told us to attempt the milk ladder once weaning is established.

We started weaning at 5.5 months so she's tried a mixture of foods so far. Since weaning nappies and reflux have been much better.

Xx

@Gemmaemilyx So many children seem to be intolerant of cows milk these days! I wonder what's changed to trigger the increase? Presumably you're avoiding all cows milk products as you're breastfeeding - no cheese or anything?

@SuperSocks it is very common! They're not certain it's cmpa to be fair, but they are treating it as if it is due to the mucousy bloody nappies she was having. I even went through a period of cutting out egg and soya too- really difficult to find nice stuff to eat! ... I am concerned about attempting the milk ladder though so I do keep putting it off!

Xx

[quote Gemmaemilyx]@Geranium1984 oooh that's interesting! How did you introduce the comforter?? At the moment I'm trying anything I can 🤣🙌🏽

Whilst people say it's normal I'm not sure if it's completely normal for her to be upset 24/7... so will try anything to make her happier for her sake not just mine!

Xx [/quote]
I just had the comforter around all the time, would give it to him at nappy changes, in the pushchair, had him hold it when breast feeding, in the cot when he slept.

It was an absolute lifesaver when he started nursery. He was very anxious but I was pleased he could find comfort in his little blanket toy and was able to sleep OK there.

I had one of those. She's 2.5 now and wonderful. She was miserable until she could sit up, then slightly less miserable until the could crawl, then slightly happier when she could walk. Then absolutely brilliant when she could walk, talk, and be her own little person.

I also have one who was the happiest, easiest baby. But she's so chilled she's not interested in walking or talking and now really difficult at 18 months, whereas her sister was a breeze by then.

Just ride it out, it doesn't last. She may just be frustrated and want to move on. I genuinely believe the saying, difficult baby, easy toddler. Easy baby, difficult toddler. As I've had both and would prefer the former if I did it again!

@Geranium1984 oh Thankyou I will give it a go 🤞🏼🤞🏼🤞🏼

Xx

@Lostmyway86

Thanks for your reply. I really hope she's an easy toddler- I've read a lot that backs up your comment during my furious google sessions 🤣

I'm back to work in July when she's 11 months old and she's at the same childminder as I sent my son, however she's now in her mid 60s and my daughter is obviously a bit of a handful so I worry she won't cope as well.

Time will tell and hopefully she's happier by then!

Xx

My DD refused to be put down. As long as she was being held she was no trouble at all. Just hold her, it doesn’t last forever. I had a hip seat and then strapped her to me so I had at least one free arm and it was easier on my back.

My first baby was like this so I feel for you. Does your sling allow you to carry her on your back? I found this to be a life-saver that enabled me to cook with my son up on my back out the way! My sling was a ‘Connecta’. I had to go see my local sling library to learn how to back carry with it safely as it is a little tricky at first. However, with a bit of practise I soon got the hang of it and it was a god-send.