Fussy Baby - Madera,CA

I have 3 girls; 17, 12, 7 and two boys 5 and 3 months.... Sounds to me like he has developed his fear of strangers - usually around 8 months babies can develop the knowledge of who is familiar and who is not - when they realize this they want mommy even more because they have suddenly become aware that mommy goes away...

He will out grow it - I know it's hard, but enjoy it... Next thing you know he will be a senior in high school and you will be lucky to get ONE hug everyday - that's if you even see him....

It sounds like normal separation anxiety to me! 6-9 months is the usual time it starts. Don't worry - the more you give them what they need (you) - the quicker it passes. I'd suggest buying a backpack or back carrier you can wear them in while you're doing things around the house.:-)

Each baby is different with their own personality and temperament. I know it's hard. True, teething may be a cause. Also remember that it may also be "separation anxiety" as well. Each age and stage of development brings on different phases. I would take him to the doctor & express your concerns.... since this is a different behavior from the usual. It could just be normal developmental phases, or perhaps gas, constipation, teething, some kind of pain, hunger, allergy, etc. Each gender varies. I have a girl and boy... and it's my boy that is more independent. Each child is different. Yes though, check him with the doctor. My friend's baby once went through a lot of crying.. she took her baby to the doctor, and after careful examination it was found that a tiny blond hair was wrapped around one of her toes and it was cutting into it and causing pain... the hair was untangled and removed and, well the baby was back to normal again. Sometimes it's nothing and sometimes there can be a reason for it. An exam would be best, instead of second guessing it. Good luck and take care.
~Susan
www.cafepress.com/littlegoogoo

He might be going through separation anxiety, which is normal. They usually go through this between 6-9 months and it is just a phase and will hopefully pass soon.

Hello!
I couldn't help but giggle when I read this. Not to laugh at what you're going through, but just the coinsidence. My first son out of two boys (also named Blake), was the same way. My personal take on it is this: It is just the way he is. It could be teething, but with teething they will usually be fussy either way, not just when you put them down. He will also drool a whole lot and bite on everything in site. My son, Blake, is SUCH a people person. From day 1, he wanted to be held all the time. He was not interested in playing unless I, or someone else, was there with him. He is almost 4 years old now, and still enjoys other peoples company and does not like to do his own thing very much. He will if he needs to but not for too long. My second son is a lot like your daughter. Not that I would leave him to himself all day either, but he would besides the feedings and changings. He would so much rather be put down to go explore then be held.
My suggestion to you would be to put him down and let him be fussy for a little bit to get what you need done or what have you. So long as it's not a scream of terror, he will be fine. You need to get your things done too. But do spend as much time with him as you can of course. I'm sure you already do though. Do you have a bouncy chair? That also helped out. Maybe he just wants some place comfy to sit...
Good luck! Oh, and enjoy your little ones, one day you will think back and wish you could home them all day long again~!

When my son was first born i wanted to hold him all the time and he wanted nothing to do with it - now that i'm on the move - all he wants is to be touching me - no necessarly being held but crawling, climbing, laying..ect..and he just turned 7 months - it's a phase and he just wants to be by you, my son does ok if he doesn't see me but once he sees me it's over - i feel like i can't get anything done. Try playing with him a lot for like 15-20 min and it tires them out a little so you have the rest of the hour but you'll have to do it constantly - good luck

My daughter went thru that. What I did was strapped her into our baby Snugli(or baby bjorn) and continued on with what I was doing. She had the reassurance that I was there and my hands were free to do what I needed.
Sounds like seperation anxiety. I don't think it is a boy thing though. All kids are different. Also, with the other kids around, could he not be getting the kind of attention he needs and to voice his opinion/get attention is by screaming. Sorry if that seems harsh. It is something to consider though.
Good Luck!

Sounds just like my daughter in recent weeks/months. I figured it was teething... it was a mix of that, beginning separation anxiety and not getting enough sleep. This could be the issue, it could be something else.

My little boy, who's 1 now, did the same thing. All the sudden they get to an age where they realize, you have other things to do than hold him and feed him all day. I did end up taking mine to the doctor and he did have an ear ache. I felt bad for being so frustrated when he was just being clingy because he couldn't tell me his ear hurt. After he took the antibiotics, he was a different baby. He was also teething at the same time. You probably wouldn't be as overwhelmed if you didn't have a 1-year-old nephew there. That is like having 3 kids under the age of 4 for you every single day. The 7-month-old is bound to get less attention because 1-year-olds require so much of it (they are mobile and into everything and you have to watch them like a hawk.) I have a 5 month old puppy and that is bad enough. I feel like I have twins sometimes because of it. Your son will probably outgrow this behavior. Do you have any Baby Einstein videos? My little one loves them so much. I put one in when I need to do the dishes or curl my hair. Since babies don't have that big of an attention span, they are great because each scene is only a few seconds long. Your son may be frustrated that he can't walk around and play like the bigger kids. When my little one would see other kids playing he would scream. He wanted to do what they could do. I think he could have, if his body would have cooperated, but they just don't have the coordination at that young age. Is he eating solid food yet? He may be hungry all the time and needs baby food or rice cereal. At any rate, I'd take him to the doc just to make sure you're starting with a clean slate. I'm sure there's chapter about this is What To Expect The First Year. If you don't have that book, borrow it, buy it or just go to the book store and read the chapter on 7-month-olds. Good luck and remember, THIS TOO SHALL PASS!

Hi J.,

I have 2 boys & that was totally normal behavior for both of them. I just kept them in my sight at all times & with my second son, since I sometimes HAD to leave him by himself (but in the same room as me) at times in order to take care of my older son's needs, I just let him cry. Now that the second one is almost 20 months old, he seems more independent than my older son was at his age.

C.

Hmmmm, well, some babies start to experience separation anxiety around 9 months or so, but this may be a little early for your little one. I have a little boy who is now 14 months and he NEVER cries or fusses. When he does, I know something is wrong...like an ear infection, etc. Is he tugging at his ears at all or does he have a fever? My little guy has had a few ear infections without a fever...and the only way I knew is he was grabbing at his ears and a little fussy.

I hope this helps!

J.,

I completely understand. My son is 20 month's old now but he was always fussy when he was younger...maybe it is "boys". It seemed he was gassy or teathing or maybe just his personality; he likes attention...and I am a fist time mother myself so I gave it to him even though I was advised not to. He is wonderful now that he is old enough to play with other children and entertain himself for longer periods.
Good Luck!
R. M.

Hi J.,
I have a 6 month old and for about 4 weeks she was waking up every 2 hours. I thought it was just my fault for going and getting her but....then I declined her mattress and she slept through the night. (It was inclined because of reflux.) So, it could be something crazy like that. I, too, thought she was teething. Who really knows??? Is he cold? You know, just check everything. She still wakes up about 1 or 2x a night so it's not perfect but waaaaayyyy better. :)
J.
p.s. She also gets nervous when I leave the room so maybe it is just her personality. I don't know what to do about that. I figure she'll grow out of it by the time she's 2 (ha ha).

Hi J.,
Funny you posted this. I have a 7 mo. old boy also who is going through a very similar situation. I will assure you though it is pretty normal. My other kids (Ihave 4) did the same thing. At this age they start going thru seperation anxiety. My son will be playing fine until he sees me and then starts fussing or screaming. The minute I walk out of the room and he sees me go he screams, nothing seems to keep him content for very long right now, unless I'm holidng him (which obviously I can't do all day) If my my memory serves me correct in a month or 2 they will out grow this and be contented little guys again. If it does continue though, maybe take him to the Dr. to make sure he's feeling ok.
Best of luck!

7 months is when babies often start experiencing separation anxiety. My 9 month old baby started crying when he was 7 months every time I left the room. My baby is pretty laid back, so the crying has gone down, but some babies are more intense and the crying will continue. I think it should get better in a few months, regardless of the baby's temperment. Try to remember that this is a positive sign that your baby is developing an understanding of object permanence, and a healthy attachment to you, so that he's distressed when you leave him. He'll eventually learn that you'll come back. Maybe you can tell him you'll be back in one minute, or however long it will be, so that he'll be able to learn what it feels like for you to be gone one minute. Eventually he'll understand that you'll be back soon when you say that. Good luck!

Dear J.,

Yes, well, all babies are unique individuals. I would say that when you need to do other things than baby entertaining you could try just making him comfortable, toys around, and let him cry. It won't hurt, and it will help. This is what babies do, they cry, and then they receive attention, then cry for more . Babies are very smart and he has found out that to get his own dear love, he just cries and she comes.

So, just let him cry, know that you are not doing anything bad to him, and go about doing what you need to do. He will learn, and you will learn to just let the crying pass right by.

Maybe he is having some teething problems, if he were having ear aches, I think that the crying would be more urgent.

I used to work in an infant day care center, and we had to get used to the crying and fretting and tend to those that needed the care at that moment.

O.K.? C. N.

Our third child is a boy who is almost 10 months old. He also has recently started to get fussy; however, it seems to be due to teething discomfort. Maybe Blake is teething. Also, his appetite could be increasing at this age and he might just be getting more hungry (which will cause fussiness). It's tricky to find what is the trigger for the upset. And, I totally understand the "crazy" feeling. Just hang in there, it will get better. Don't hesitate going to the doctor, if you think it might be some kind of an infection. Most likely it won't be, but it will put your mind at ease.
A.

Have you tried checking Blake's mouth to see if her is teething? I would start there and if you do not think he is try calling a help line or do schedule an appointment. I know how you are feeling with the screaming and crying. Hope your situation works out for you :)