What has happened to my sweet baby?!

[tinaMunoz]

Hi everyone.

I hardly ever post anything in the Mothering forums, but my current situation is bringing me to my knees! My 13 month old boy, Liam, cries/whines/screeches ALL day long if he is not being picked up or otherwise comforted. I'm all nerves all day, and as soon as my husband walks through the door, I'm ready to hand him off. LOL. He's fine with everyone else. And when we're out, he is usually quite happy. I know it's partially the colder weather, him being inside more, and not to mention being stuffy...plus, he is becoming more verbal, and it's frustrating for him to not be able to communicate everything to us. But it's worse when he's with me- it's like I'm aggravating the issue!

Is anyone else going through the same thing? Is there anything I can do to remedy the situation?

Christina

[pants]

I'm kinda going through this with my 8 month old right now. So I have no advice. I'm here to take notes.

[JMJ]

I'd give him the extra attention that he wants and work on finding ways to renew your energy for parenting. IME, children who want attention and get as much of it as they could possibly desire eventually find their need met and move on to greater independence. Children whose little cries for attention are ignored and loud cries are attended to but not for as long as they would like learn to cry louder more often. Plan to devote the next few days to giving him your entire attention. If something absolutely has to get done, invite him to join you in what you are doing.

[dislocator3972]

Have you tried using some basic signs to help him communicate? A friend of mine just started doing this with her 1yo and is having great results, and fast. Within a day or two her daughter was showing a big improvement in temperament. The signs don't even have to be the 'correct' ones, just as long as you know what she's trying to say. Maybe start with simple ones like 'eat' 'drink' 'more' and 'no'.

As for the attention problems, I like the idea of devoting a few days to him completely to see how it goes. If that doesn't give him what he's looking for, maybe you could try a carrier to let him be involved with your daily activities. And just think of the calories you'll burn! lol

Good luck!

[kimellett]

Originally Posted by dislocator3972

Have you tried using some basic signs to help him communicate?

This!!!! We do this with our 11 month old, and she's starting to pick it up. Did it with ds (now 5) and it was our saving grace. He was seldom frustrated, and always able to communicate his needs. We even bought an ASL dictionary on amazon so we could quickly learn new signs as the situation warrented. Can't say enough good things about signing with your kids, although my mom is convinced it caused a speech delay in ds.

[LadyCatherine185]

from another Mama with a 1-year-old Liam!!

My Liam does this from time to time as well, and typically I will notice a tooth has popped through soon thereafter. Is he working on molars? Those and more recently the canine teeth have been really rough on my DS..

I love the PP's suggestion about teaching some signs. We've taught DS "please" "finished" and "light" and it has really seemed to help him. He can tell us "please" when he wants to be picked up rather than screaming at us. It has cut down on the screaming significantly.

My DS is also pretty high-needs, always has been, so all of the extra attention is something I am pretty used to. I have to be very proactive about our day, or else he is miserable and consequently so am I. I try to keep a loose routine to the day, and get as much outside time as possible. Even though it is getting colder, I bundle us up as much as needed and we head out.

hope you find something that works for you!

[tinaMunoz]

yes! I was thinking about teaching him some signs. does anyone know of a good website or book to start us off? I don't know any myself really...

I know he wants my reassurance, now that he's becoming more independent (not to mention sleeping through the night )...and I admit it's hard for me to drop what I'm doing sometimes- especially when there are deadlines and chores to be done. My husband came home from Iraq about a week ago and we are moving back to the States in less than a month...so it's been hectic!!

Thanks everyone for your words of advice....

[abiyhayil]

there's a board book 'baby's first signs' It has a lot more than we used, but they're easy to learn, good luck!

[LadyCatherine185]

Originally Posted by tinaMunoz

yes! I was thinking about teaching him some signs. does anyone know of a good website or book to start us off? I don't know any myself really...

I know he wants my reassurance, now that he's becoming more independent (not to mention sleeping through the night )...and I admit it's hard for me to drop what I'm doing sometimes- especially when there are deadlines and chores to be done. My husband came home from Iraq about a week ago and we are moving back to the States in less than a month...so it's been hectic!!

Thanks everyone for your words of advice....

I don't know how big your DS is, but could you wear him in a carrier, like an ergo, while you get things done?