Exhausted with fussy 9 month old

[wrinklycactus]

My almost 9 month old is so fussy at the moment and I'm finding it really hard. Has anyone else had similar at this age?

Basically any new environment I take him to, he cries and clings. I took him to the office yesterday to meet my colleagues and he couldn't cope. I take him to baby groups and he just sits there fussing and crying so it feels pointless going as it all just seems overwhelming for him.

He also fusses at home whenever he's not being held (and sometimes when he is). If I leave him to play on the floor for more than a couple of minutes he isn't happy, I have to be with him directly interacting.

I cuddle/ give him his dummy/ offer a snack/ some milk/ water/ nappy change etc., all these things might comfort him for a few seconds but then he starts again.

Sleep wise he's pretty good - he sleeps through the night, naps in the day (although often needs to be held at least at the start). Milestones, he has eye contact, babbling, reaches to be picked up, sits independently, rolls. Not crawling yet so I wonder if he's just frustrated that he can't move??

I'm just finding it really limiting as I can't take him anywhere without a fuss and when I look at other babies in my NCT group/ baby groups most of them seem much happier to just sit and play, they don't seem to have these kinds of problems.

Can anyone relate and will this period end soon?? It's been going on for about 3 weeks now - he used to be so happy and chill before this. I miss my happy boy!

Teeth? It's always bloody teeth.

I keep thinking is he teething but I can't see any coming through yet!

He went through a phase a couple months ago of wanting to chew everything so I thought they were coming, but then it all seemed to stop and nothing has come through.

He hasn't been chewing on things since then and doesn't have red cheeks etc so I don't know?

I found that the worst bit was the few weeks before a tooth appeared. Once it had poked through they were much cheerier. Moving around below the gumline made them very irritable and out of sorts. I'd probably try nurofen (it's better than Calpol) half an hour before you go out somewhere to see if it helps.

Thanks @Pugglywuggly will give that a go!

Yesss I remember this with my first and now my second is 9 months and also much fussier than he used to be.
I remember with my first that once he could move around on his own he was allot happier. I do think it can be frustration at wanting to be somewhere or reach a toy and they can’t do it. Keep encouraging movement.
Also, as mentioned above, teething! It can take weeks before the tooth is visible but can still be painful.
Also, some babies are just generally more easily bored or overwhelmed and that can make them fussy in new / busy environments.