Fussy 8mo baby

[Mummio92]

My 8m baby boy is constantly fussy and crying, well beyond what I see in other same-aged babies and I’m wondering if others have had a similar experience? If so, when did it improve?

Finding it incredibly draining and quite upsetting as he was (up until approx 5months) a very chilled baby (it was in fact something people used to comment on, but my happy, chill baby feels long gone now).

Now, after waking for the day and from naps I might have 45min of him being relatively content and then the fussing starts and it becomes incredibly hard to placate him other than by standing and holding whilst walking round. Out of a typical week he has good days maybe 1-2x, the rest of the days is an endless (and often fruitless) effort to keep him entertained and happy.

Friends with same age babies seem much more able to let babies play semi-independently, whereas this is practically impossible for me for more than 5mins here and there. I stopped attending the last baby group I went to because he was the only one out of about 12 who fussed throughout. Similarly, I no longer feel comfortable going to a cafe or somewhere like that because I know it’ll be a stressful fuss-fest. I do see mum friends but often feel somewhat embarrassed about how unhappy my baby
seems.

Thankfully he sleeps through the night and naps well so that’s a blessing at least (approx 14hrs total sleep) so not a tiredness issue.
Also eats solids well and plenty of milk so hunger also not an issue.
Really don’t think there’s anything medical going on as on (very) rare days he can be super happy and content, fussing began before intro of solids so also don’t think any food sensitivities are at play.

Any thoughts or words of solidarity?

Where is he with milestones? My two were both very, very hard work when they were desperate to do something, but couldn't. At 8 months, I'd think maybe crawling or cruising? We were all relieved when DD2 finally cracked crawling at 8 months, even DD1, whose toys were now fair game, because dealing with a crawling baby was so much easier than dealing with her frustration!

Could it be teething? Does he have any teeth yet? X

I think this may be a small part of it, but he’s not really making moves at all, doesn’t yet go onto hands & knees or do any type of army crawling. But you can tell he knows where he’d like to be and will sort of flop and clamber in that direction. I am keen for him to be on the move though as I think that’ll aid in independent play somewhat, I suspect we’re a couple of months away though unfortunately

2 bottom teeth have broken in the past month, that was extra hellish. No signs of any more yet but I know they move around under the gums so could be contributing. Doesn’t seem to improve with any pain relief or teething solutions however.