4 Month Old Acting Up

he sounds sweet--he just wants his mommy! but i know how frustrating that can be when you have things to do. remember, it too shall pass! it's only a stage and it won't last forever. in the meantime, can you wait until he naps to get things done? or try carrying him in a sling or Baby Bijorn (or any baby carrier) while you get things done, that helps my 6 month old son when he is feeling extra needy. good luck!

your baby is a baby and loves you :-)

I would suggest holding him
"how can I get anything done?" you ask...
ah....
www.thebabywearer.com/forum
there are so many ways to 'wear' your baby and get things done, it's so great!
It SAVED ME!!!
just this morning I wore my one year old in a carrier like this
http://www.kozycarrier.homestead.com/ (you don't need to get this brand or even this 'kind' of carrier there are so many!)
and I made breakfast for everyone (me, my husband, my 4 year old and the baby)
he wanted to be held, and, well, it was just easier for everyone trying to get everything doen in the mad rush of the morning...
"won't I spoil him?"
nah, soon enough he'll be running away on his own and saying "no kisses mom!" LOL. I am not still wearing my four year old, LOL.
ENJOY THIS TIME NOW, because it goes by so fast & soon your baby is a kid...

C.,

As a stay at home mom of 3 boys I can tell you this is very normal. He is just trying to get your attention. I know that this can be frustrating and you feel as though you can't get anything done. Try these little things and see if they help. I know TV isn't the best thing, but when my little ones would do this I would put on Mickey Mouse, or Curious George, play music or just let him cry a little bit. The more you give in on picking him up the more he is going to do it, babies are very smart.

I hope some of this helps.

Good luck!

S.
SAHM of 3 boys

C., from I have heard and read, this can be separation anxiety. In his mind, when you walk away he thinks you are gone forever and he is alone. They say you should talk to him and let him hear your voice to know that he is not alone and you are still in the room or he is just testing you

Hello C.,

I think all moms can agree and relate when we say that we have been there and experienced that. The good news is he will get over the phase the bad news is it comes back at 7mths when they refer to this behavior as being separation anxiety. This is one of those cases where u have to make up ur mind to listen to him fuss in order to get stuff done. U can try to distract him with toys and the television, but he will eventually start crying again. My suggestion is try to get as much as possible done in the moments when he is asleep, although in all actuality its not much. Mine is now 8mths and he crawls and is trying to walk, he only sleeps and hour a day, so honey this only gets more challenging.
I wish u all the best and one last thing... as moms we have to get very creative.

G. F

Cythnia,

Hi! I know this is probably going to be hard to hear, but you need to just let him cry. Baby's start understanding how things work very quickly and he knows you already. Every time that he screams, you come. He knows that and as hard as it is, you need to show him who is in charge. It may take a couple of days and you may feel like you want to pull your hair out, but you really just need to let him cry (unless of course you know it is because he needs his diaper changed or feed). He will then understand who is in charge and things will get better for you.

Sounds like my son when he was the same age.I guess they started
to get more aware of their environment.He also doesnt like my husband(my husband started to worry) or anyone else.

The more you get your husband or other family member involve or help you the better.Early in am,when my son wakes up I let my husband pick him up, take care of him and change his diaper and play with him until he goes to work and I enjoy my leisure breakfast and coffee.The baby will get to know other scent beside you.

Take time to go out every now and then.Get a massage or go to a bookstore for an hour or two while other family member is watching your son.Enjoy a book and a cup of coffee for an hour or two.You need this to keep your sanity.Cause this will be a long journey.

Until now(my son is now 17 mos)he follows me around wherever ago.The only people he wanted to be with are the people I let him with when he was a baby (my husband and mother-in-law).I still
can't leave him to a complete stranger or he will cry.

So I know I have to do some weaning now before he goes to pre-school.Im starting to look into a reputable day care or mother's day out so I can wean him slowly with me.

Dear C.,

My 16 month old doesn't want to be held anymore, so enjoy this while you can...it will soon be just a memory and you'll wish you had paid more attention to your son and less attention to the dishes/etc.

I agree with the babywearing, my son loved his Bjorn and we used it until he was one! Also, try some of the baby toys like the Baby Einstein gym (for newborns). My son would stare at the toys for 10-15 minutes and that is a long time for a baby. Keep in mind that 10 minutes is a long time for a baby! Do talk to your son and try to have him in a position so that he can see you, he does think you are gone and he is alone if he can't see you...describe everything to him, I am taking the forks out of the dishwasher and putting them into the kitchen drawer. Sing, anything you want.... He'll be fine.

Hi C.,

I know the feeling. With your first child you respond to every little cry and problem. Check with your doctor if he/she feels it is okay to let your son cry out. He is probably so used to you carrying him and paying attention to him that he doesn't like this separation. With sleeping through the night my doctor said it was okay to let him cry out at 6 months but with putting a baby down to play and such I'm not sure about the age. I didn't even listen to my doctor about that and dealt with a poor sleeper until 9 months with a regressive month at 14 months. The sooner you get your son to accept and enjoy independent play the sooner you'll be able to get things done around the house. This is another lesson that took me forever to learn. Before you know it, though, he'll be crawling and getting into his own little adventures and you'll be amazed at how he wants to play by himself. Good luck!