Is this teething? 5 month old DS driving me crackers!!

[babyignoramus]

My 5 month old has suddenly decided to whinge constantly. Nothing seems to make him happy except my 100% attention focused directly on him which isn't always possible!

Nothing seems to placate him - I think he is getting frustrated because he's trying to crawl and hasn't managed it yet.

When I put him down for a nap he fights sleep and will whinge and moan, building up to screaming until I manage to get him to drop off. If I don't put him down he gets so overtired he's even worse!

It's occured to me that he might be teething although ATM he has no other signs (he did a couple ofweeks ago but they've stopped).

Any suggestions? Is this a common phase???

have to say dd doing exactly the same - dont know why...wd be grateful for any reason!

My Ds is the same he is 4.5 months. He was really easy before but he is an absolute nightmare; not sleeping or feeding well either just whining all day long.He is dribbling like mad so I think it is teething.

It could be a combination of teething, plus frustration at not being able to crawl. You could try teething powders (like Ashtons and Parsons). I don't think they helped my DD much but many people seem to think they are great.
My DD is hopeless with naps so I can't help there. I think they can fight sleep when they are about to master a new skill. Hope it gets better for you soon.

I agree, it is probably frustration as at this age they want to do so much more than is physically possible!! He probably is teething too, try rubbing a bit of teething gel on his gums when he gets fractious before going to sleep, this usually works for my 5 month old. He may also be getting hungrier and starting to get ready for solids too - it's not long until you can start weaning him and that may help!

Thanks all - LisaJasper, he is already weaning! I started quite early (18 weeks) - he is a v. hungry baby but seemed to be getting frustrated with just milk (he hates waking up in the night and has always done so I didn't want to have to go back to that until 6 months). I offered him some water this morning when he was fighting his nap and he guzzled 4oz and went off immediately. So now I feel a bit guilty because in this hot weather he might have been thirsty!