Miserable 8 month old

[Cluelessfirstimer]

Last 2 months have been so difficult with my little one. He just seems so unhappy all the time. Gets bored within seconds goes mental if I put him down or leave the room and sleep is utterly diabolical. I've tried it all. Sleep training (well, feber so very gentle) just resulted in my neighbour knocking the door at 11pm to check everything was OK.

We avoid dairy because GP said he could possibly have an intolerance (eczema and a little bit sicky) but otherwise he eats well and no signs of sickness.

I feel like I'm doing something horribly wrong here as a mother and feel an utter failure.

Mine was the same. I think he was frustrated, wanting to move and not being able. Think he was a lot happier once he started crawling soon after and could sit up around 9 months. Plus is probably teething as well.

Avoid dairy or cut it out completely? Has your GP referred you to a paediatric dietitian? - they should have. 50% of babies with CMPA are also allergic to soya so you may need to consider this. But it could just be frustrating at not been able to walk yet. Both my kids were much happier when they could walk.

Probably frustration. At least thats 99% of why my DS was very difficult for most of the second half of his first year. It got better when he could scoot around on his bum and then when he walked he became so cheery again. Some babies just realise the limitations of being a baby very early…

I think that could well be it - he is fine for a few minutes on his play mat but then will just go crazy put of nowhere. It's not like tears crying more of an angry cry (if that's possible- that's kind of how it seems) if I take him away from the situation he does get happy again - for a few minutes at least.

Just makes me feel a bit useless and if I'm doing it all massively wrong

Re the daily- we have cut it out completely. No referral but ill ask about it. We went with eczema at about 3 months and he was a bit vommy so they just gave us some cream and diary free formula. I mean his eczema cleared up but I've never been convinced that was the issue. Have just kept doing it as per their advice

I remember well at around this exact age my daughter was miserable and would just screech and scream all day every day, absolutely relentlessly. It was utterly exhausting, definitely the hardest stage so far. Then she learned to crawl and the change in her demeanour overnight was unbelievable. She was so, so, so much happier being able to move around, it relieved so much frustration on her part and I started being able to enjoy her again.

Hang in there.

DS was like this and agree with PP that it was frustration. Much happier once walking/cruising and feeling more understood. He’s 20 months now and still gets cross when I don’t understand immediately what he’s trying to say.
Hang in there, things will be different in a matter of months (seems like ages I know!)

How are the naps?