Constantly needs distraction

[MeredithK]

Ok, I get that my 4 month old is fussy, but I still worry that I'm missing something...like he's in pain or something. So, I have a question. It seems as though DS constantly needs distraction.

All day long, he needs to be interacting. You can't put him down at all because that would bring about the fussing which leads to crying. You can't just sit there with him, you have to be silly with him or physical with him (bounce him around, etc). He screams in the car and the stroller as you can't be interacting with him then.

The only time he isn't being physically attended to is when he is in the swing napping (it's the only way he'll nap besides after nursing). I can never not be holding him and doing something with him. He won't even go in a carrier because he has to be free to be held facing out.

Is this just what fussy babies do? Or, am I distracting him from some kind of pain or something else that is wrong (he's not hungry or wet)?

I just want him to be happy and for me to get a little break every now and again.

[Icehockey18]

Do you have a carrier that he can face forward in? Ds went through a stage from about 3-4.5 months where he only wanted to face forward in the moby, he cried when he faced me. Now, at 8 mo he'd rather face me, go figure. Anyway, that is how ds was, and still is to some degree. Although now he can play by himself some, so that releaves me some. I just wore ds and he was fine, as long as we were moving. Also now that he can 'play' with toys, the car rides are more bearable... Somtimes. But to look at the bright side, I lost a lot of the baby weight always moving with ds in tow!

eta: have you ruled out teething?

[littlegreenlady]

Originally Posted by Icehockey18

Do you have a carrier that he can face forward in? Ds went through a stage from about 3-4.5 months where he only wanted to face forward in the moby, he cried when he faced me. Now, at 8 mo he'd rather face me, go figure. Anyway, that is how ds was, and still is to some degree. Although now he can play by himself some, so that releaves me some. I just wore ds and he was fine, as long as we were moving. Also now that he can 'play' with toys, the car rides are more bearable... Somtimes. But to look at the bright side, I lost a lot of the baby weight always moving with ds in tow!

eta: have you ruled out teething?

my Little guy is doing the same thing.
This morning I was sore from carrying him. He must be getting heavier because I've carried him pretty much all the time since he was born. He is nearly 4 months as well.
I've been trying to find a way to wear him in the wrap so he can face out, because I'm not sure if I can get him on my back yet. There was a thread about having the bay facing forward and how it may be bad for his back. Does this apply with a wrap, or just a bjorn type of carrier? Is there somewhere I can get a demo or instructions so I can wear him facing forward?

DS is teething, but he is also very curious and wants to see what I'm doing all the time.

[MeredithK]

Originally Posted by Icehockey18

Do you have a carrier that he can face forward in? But to look at the bright side, I lost a lot of the baby weight always moving with ds in tow!

eta: have you ruled out teething?

I do have a couple of carriers that he can face forward in. But, he still gets antsy after a few minutes in there. But you are right about the baby weight! I lost all but a few pounds already!

I haven't really ruled out teething, but I have tried both the Hyland's teething tablets and Camilia and they don't seem to help out. It's hard to tell if he's teething though...

[mamacolleen]

Your son sounds just like my 7 month old DD!! She has been like this since birth... needing me or her dad around her all the time and interacting with her all the time as well. I've never been able to just have her sit and play by herself yet, or even just sit on my lap and relax. She doesn't seem to have those "quiet alert and awake" times of day at all. Even when she's in her exersaucer or playing with her toys on the floor, I have to be chatting with her or she gets frustrated easily. I can't just hold her or have her in my lap quietly... I have to be bouncing her, singing to her, chatting, etc. or she gets really upset.

She also HATED her stroller and her carriers in the beginning and even now will only tolerate an hour in the ERGO (her dad can get longer out of her) before she gets antsy, even if I sing/chat/bounce/am silly with her. She's getting better with the stroller but I still can't take her out in it for very long. I feel especially sad about her not liking carriers/slings (and trust me I've tried a lot) because I really envisioned doing a lot of babywearing.

We did take her to a chiropractor regularly between 2 and 4 months and that seemed to help some. But I just take most of it as her personality. She does LOVE being around other people and is generally very social... smiles and laughs a lot and did from a very early age. She is also a passionate little person and shows all her emotions loudly and clearly.

I know it's hard and draining to be around a LO who demands so much intensive attention all the time. I don't have too many great ideas for you.... just know that you're not the only mama out there. I too wonder if I'm "missing" some clues sometimes but am trying to relax and just enjoy her personality as it is.

[LadyCatherine185]

my DS was like this as well. He did have reflux and allergy issues, but even with those worked out was still very fussy in general. Once he became mobile, it got MUCH better. He is now a very active toddler, and I miss being able to hold him when he was a little baby. I know it is hard, but try to enjoy this fleeting time. Also, once spring is here and you can get out of the house more, things will probably get easier. My DS always loved going outside, and getting out of the house!