Tell me about your 5 month old...

[mrs.t]

My DS just turned 5 mos, and ever since birth he's been...intense. I can only assume he was colicky because the first 3-4 months were really, really hard. Now he is MUCH better, smiling, laughing, interacting with us, and his wants are more predictable and easier to figure out. He's hitting all his milestones, rolling over both ways, sitting with support, etc. So I feel pretty good about him in general. However, I have no idea what "normal" 5 month old behavior looks like. Sometimes, he screeches or screams when he gets frustrated about not being able to reach something, or when he's trying to crawl and can't get anywhere. Most of the time there is a definite reason that I can figure out, but is this what other babies do?

Also, at this age, how does your baby "play"? DS reaches for desired toys, grasps, looks at them, and mouths them. Sometimes he screeches at the toys. I'm only asking because some of his behavior seems really weird and DH and I look at each like, "Is this what other babies do?"

DH has a daughter from a previous marriage but she is 20 years old now and he doesn't really remember how she acted.

I get nervous because I work with special ed students (junior high age) and part of me wonders what a sensory processing disorder would look like at this age. Then I realize that he is just a baby and probably fine, but I have nothing to compare him to.

[jenfl]

It all sounds totally normal! My son was born on 3/31. He screetches sometimes for frustration, excitement, or just to hear his voice. He grabs at things, looks at them, sticks them in his mouth.

[Knitting Mama]

My 5 month old (born just one day before yours ) sounds a lot like yours, so I think he's right on target!

[Noah's mommy]

My very intense, colicky, sensitive baby is now a wonderful, delightful, serious, perfectionist six year old. He's very bright, but still gets frustrated when things aren't juuuusssttt so. I wouldn't trade him for the world. Personality traits look different as kids grow...don't worry too much!

[busymama77]

Yep. Sounds just like my little guy. He's a few days in to being 6 months old and reacts the same way your LO does. Smiles at everything, laughs at everything, is a bit 'shy' at times, screeches when he sees something he wants or screeches just to be noticed by his big bro. TOTALLY normal!

[jsh7809]

Just wanted to add one more "yup" to the mix! My DD gets mad/ frustrated when she can't sit up/ crawl/ get what she wants/ etc. She's 20 weeks now, and everything you're saying has me agreeing. So no worries!
And, I'm so happy to hear that your challenging newborn is turning into a super fun infant! I too am loving this age, not missing the more difficult younger baby ages... and looking foward to seeing everything that she learns. Your DS sounds totally normal

[braidmama]

DS is also 5 months, born April 5th! He was definitely very fussy right from the start. Bythe end of the 3rd month I was anxiously awaiting end to his "colicky" stage...nope! He's still veeeery fussy, although definitely has more happy moments in his day now, too. He's smiles constantly (even when fussy sometimes, its so weird!), laughs, grabs toys and puts them in his mouth, puts his feet in his mouth. He definitely also gets really mad when he can't get anywhere while trying to crawl on the play quilt. That makes tummy time kind of an interesting time but thanks to the ladies on here I've found other ways to engage him in "tummy time." He doesn't really roll over all the way to the side yet and isn't quite ready to sit up on his own (he's a floppy one, this boy) but I know he'll get there. Don't worry! Sounds like your LO is doing great!

[mrs.t]

Thanks ladies...I try not to freak over every little thing, but it's so difficult! I'm hoping that all of these traits turn into positive qualities...I love my "high needs" boy, he has such determination. I just wonder if I'm doing the right thing as his Mom. I guess all I can do is love him and hope for the best!

[Knitting Mama]

The thing I keep hearing over and over from my friends who had high needs babies is that they grew into phenomenally spirited and creative kids. I hope that this is the case for all of us!

[Adaline'sMama]

DD is almost 6 months at this point, but 2 weeks ago sounds pretty much just like your kiddo. You can probably start looking forward to constant babbling, better motor skills, and sitting up unassisted (for moments....). Her motor skill have increased by 50% in the past two weeks. For example, 2 weeks ago she would grab her paci and bang it into her mouth trying to get it in, sometimes just chewing on the outside. Today, she picked it up and popped it directly in her mouth. Yesterday she said "dadadadadada" for about 15 minutes. DH was stoked.

You kiddo sounds great! Glad the colicky part is over for you.

[mrs.t]

Thanks for all the replies! I feel a little better now! I hope DS does turn into a creative little boy.

We should all start a "spirited babes" group!

[braidmama]

haha, love that idea! these kids, while demanding, certainly know what they want and aren't gonna give up until they get it. that's a postive thing, right!?

[mrs.t]

Liz-That's the way I look at at, that DS's determination and stubbornness are good things and will get him places in life eventually, right?

I keep thinking that he was put into our family to make us more outgoing, my DH and I are very quiet homebodies who would prefer to curl up with glasses of wine and watch a good movie after a nice dinner at home. Not anymore! I'm just happy he likes sitting in a high chair at the table with us, because I didn't even sit with DH the first 3 months of his life since he wouldn't be put down!

This boy needs serious action all the time! So different from our lives as a couple...but I wouldn't trade it!

[newmamalizzy]

I didn't think of my 5 month old as high needs until I started going to a new mom's group and realized how much more chill the other babies were! Comparisons are odious, right? Your LO sounds a lot like mine, though she wasn't colicky. For over a month now I have been telling her "Try to focus on what you CAN do, not what you can't" when she's all frustrated squirming around on her belly with her nose in the rug. Not like she can understand yet, but I'm guessing I'll be saying this to her far into the future...

[Dena]

Sounds like my first. Exactly. She is now a very bright, happy, loving, though still intense, six year old.

I would take a look at "Raising Your Spirited Child" It really helped me a lot in understanding my daughter, and realizing her behaviors were well within the realm of normal.

[mrs.t]

Thanks, I will take a look at that book!