easily bored? teething? high needs? 6 month old

[seafox]

DS was a bit colicky to start, but I cut out dairy and he at least didn't have inconsolable painful crying anymore, but could only be awake and happy for like 20-40min at a time. We had to put him to sleep a lot (bouncing) and naps were only 45min, and he had like 4-5 a day. Nursing was tough in that I had to nurse him right when he woke up - if he was hungry and awake and tired, he would not nurse. I would have to bounce him to sleep and then nurse, or wait until he was just awaking. He started slowly though to be happier when awake and able to be awake longer, and at 4 months he got much easier - still had to play with him a lot (wouldn't play by himself much) but he was pretty mobile and would entertain himself a bit. Finally I could also nurse him when he was hungry, even if he was awake and tired, and even nurse him to sleep sometimes w/out bouncing! I thought we had overcome all these hurdles.

He could do a weird bear-walk crawl at 3 months, and roll over then also, and at 4 months could get even further - and at 5 was full on crawling (he flops in the middle of his stride but is still fast) and in the last week he's figured out how to pull himself up to standing on the couch.

this last week has been tough - he's yelling/crying almost *all* the time. The only way he's happy is when he's standing holding on to the couch and even then not for very long. He's teething also I think - but already has two teeth and when those came through (or right before) he was only miserable for a few days in a row - this has been at least a week straight.

Its getting to me! I wonder why we don't have better communication - its hard for me to tell if he's hungry or what since he's yelling all the time. He hates diaper changes now also, or just being on his back - so even nursing is difficult again - I have to bounce him and then nurse him to sleep again At least bedtime the routine is such that he allows me to nurse w/out bouncing then I guess.

Is it just because he's learned this new skill? Is it teething? I just hate that he seems so unhappy all the time - it takes constant change to keep him from yelling and its exhausting, even with both of us home (I'm home sick from work today) I wish we could let him hang out standing holding the couch w/out being right there, but his balance isn't so great yet! and he'd fall and conk his head. If we could go outside more too that would help - but its 10 degrees out today!

I'm trying to sign with him a bit but he verbally is a bit behind I think (concentrating too much on moving!) so nothing has come of it yet.

[kamane18]

Our sons are quite a bit alike - although yours is even more active/advanced physically than mine!

I'm assuming when you say he has two teeth you mean the bottom ones? If so, he may likely be working on top ones now and from what I remember with DD and experience with IRL friends, the top teeth hurt substantially more. So that could definitely be part of it. And this age is prime for them getting frustrated/bored, wanting to be even more mobile and verbal, etc.

With DD, going for LOTS of walks outside helped - really calm her down and distract her. But it's SO cold here right now so we can only do that so much. We've been doing a bath a day, even though I prefer to bath only twice a week usually - but he loves it and it distracts him and keeps him busy/calm for a while. I also add in epsom salts once a week (more if he's sick or had any vaxes - we do selective/delayed) - for calming and detoxing. Looking out the window helps, as does outings (even just to the grocery store), big sister is good for entertaining too when she's not at school.

I know a lot of people swear by signing but it actually made DD MORE frustrated so we aren't doing it. Like your son, my DS isn't very verbal yet but we are doing lots of concentrated talking to him, reading, pointing out things (where is the light, there it is; where's your head, etc). He likes it and it seems to help some.

Lastly, there is a big 6 month growth spurt. DS has definitely been hungry lately (which his doc is happy about since he's 75th % for height but 25% for weight (having slid down from 50%). Unfortunately he's BF/FF and only wants so much of that a day (can't blame him really). We added in solids about three weeks ago. I make all his food and so far he really loves avocado, banana and pear; likes carrot and zucchini and does not like peas or sweet potatoes. He spoon feeds himself (messy but fun) and between that and extra formula some days it seems to help keep the anger/fussiness down a bit since some is hunger related.

HTH!

[Abraisme]

I only have some advice about signing.. 6mo is way too early to expect that a baby will sign back to you. My baby sign books said that if you start at 6-7mo, then maybe your babe will be signing by 10mo (normal child).

My son was actually language delayed (said mama at 2).. I started signing around 7mo, but he didn't sign back until 14mo, then it took off like crazy. Anyway, I think it's too much to expect that a 6mo would be signing. Also, I don't think you'll know if he's language delayed just yet, it could seriously go either way. Good luck!

[seafox]

kamane, our sons do sound a lot alike! And I've done pretty much the same things to keep him happy - twice daily walks, going food shopping (as long as lines aren't too long, and the whole trip is <1hr)

He's I think at least 50% for both - despite not being on solids yet and being SO active, he gains pretty well I guess. Though a lot of it was at the start - he was 14lbs at 2 months, then 16 at 4 months, and I'm guessing he's 18 or 20 by now. So I don't think its hunger related - in fact, the last week he's been nursing only every 3 hours or so rather than 2 which is odd - but I think he's also able to drain a breast pretty quick!

He did get his bottom two teeth, and I didn't know the upper ones were tougher, so maybe it is that! just today he seems more like 'himself' (still easily fussy if not stimulated a lot, but less yelling overall) so I'm thinking teething but just lasting a lot longer.

we actually do showers instead of baths (we need to get a stopper for our tub! but that also calms him down a bunch.

And yeah, I guess a lot is frustration - he really wants to walk! badly!!! He's starting to cruise but does it so poorly we have to watch him super closely and catch him when he falls. I feel like his strength is too advanced for his balance or something!

and Abraisme, thanks for the info on signing. I knew he wouldn't sign back right away, but I was just hoping that it would be soon - I though 8 months was not too uncommon. Really I am just hoping to understand more what all this yelling is about! But I guess its painful teeth, and being on the floor when one wants to walk