8.5 month old suddenly very sad and angry

[Jessb2021a]

Overnight my lovely, happy 8.5 month old has become irritable, sad and angry. I'm not sure why!

He is EBF and co-sleeps with me. His usual routine is approximately:

8am - wake up
9am- breakfast
10.30am-11.30am- nap
12pm- lunch
2pm-4pm- nap
5.20pm- nap
7pm-7.30pm- nap
9pm- bed (awake every 2-3 hours overnight for milk

We do a lot of walks in the park, baby classes and seeing friends in between. He rarely cries and is a very social and inquisitive little boy.

The past four days have been really difficult and I can't identify any reason for it. He is much more sleepy than normal and is crying, He's not really interested in food. He just seems so angry, frustrated and sad! He can be distracted briefly but none of our usual strategies are working for more than a few minutes (sling, toys, food, milk, kids TV).

He hasn't got any teeth yet so maybe he's teething? I can't see or feel anything coming through. I also didn't imagine teething would be this bad.

Any reassurance that it will pass or suggestions gratefully received!

Maybe he’s feeling under the weather? Does he have a temperature?

Thats a lot of naps for an 8.5 month old

Could be teething.
Could be ill, check temperature etc.

Thank you - no temperature or signs of illness that I can see. I did give him some Calpol the other day just in case but it didn't seem to do anything.

I also think he's napping a lot. I've tried waking him so he doesn't sleep as long but he just looks exhausted and tired

It sounds like he might be feeling a bit below par, even if there are no obvious signs. Maybe a sore throat prior to coming down with a cold? If you are worried, or he doesn’t seem happier in the next couple of days, then I’d get him checked by the gp. I’m sure you’ll be keeping an eye out for any new symptoms like a rash etc., but hopefully it will just be him not feeling quite 100% for a couple of days and he’ll shake it off soon.

Teeth I’d bet. They can start hurting weeks before you see anything. It’s all stop start, usually once you can see / feel the worst pain is over. As long as plenty wet nappies etc I would be too worried.

Not that I am any expert but the sleep schedule does look a little off. I think the recommended bedtime for a little one at that age is around 7 30 or 8pm. I think the day is a little long perhaps with too many naps and you might be better trying earlier bedtime. Overtiredness could be contributing to his behaviour. If you want more info Google sleep schedule 9 month baby

Or he could be going through a development cycle , that Usually impacts behaviour. Or sickness /teething . They are constantly changing at that stage and going from one challenge to the next . My boy was v difficult from about 6 months to 1.5yrs but he's been great since then. It does get easier!

Good luck

Ps my LO was an absolute nitemare teething so it could be that. It is very sore on them

Thanks everyone! I had a good look in his mouth this evening and I can see a little top tooth poking through! I was expecting the bottom ones to come in first so I wasn't looking as closely at the top. Hopefully that explains in and he will revert to his old self again now it's erupted.

re. 7pm bedtime. I do aim for this but he seems to think this is his third nap and wakes up full of beans for more play time after. Not really sure how to address this

I'd say teething or ear infection.

9pm bedtime is absolutely fine. who the heck thinks there is such a thing as a recommended bedtime for a young baby (a man perhaps...).

hope your chaps feels better now the tooth has come out.