Is AP making life more difficult for my baby?

[poorlittlefish]

I have 2 children, my first I didn't know about AP but I did BF for a year and didn't do CIO, GD etc.  This time around the main thing I am doing differently is she sleeps in our room and then comes into bed with me for the night after her first feeding. I carry her in the Ergo if we go somewhere as opposed to riding in the stroller. 

She is 5 months old and from the beginning has been the most chill, mellow baby ever.  It is not rare at all to have 3 or 4 days pass whithout ever hearing her cry.  She has done really well at daycare, seems happy there etc.  Since the long Thanksgiving weekend though she cries if she isn't being held or fed.  Hard crying too.  She goes to a home daycare and is treated very well and loved but there are other kids there so I know she isn't getting the attention she gets at home.  I don't think that there is a health reason for this as things are totally fine once I get home at night.

My question is, am I making her days harder by holding her all the time at home?  It break my heart to think of her crying as I never hear it at home.

Does anyone have any advice or thoughts on this?

Thanks!

[Knitting Mama]

I don't think so at all. I would imagine it's more likely that her awareness is increasing and so she's becoming a lot more aware of her surroundings. Also, that is when my daughter started separation anxiety as well, and full disclosure-- she's still there at 8 months. I know she'll outgrow it eventually, so I just try to be patient!

[mamazee]

Maybe she's just hitting separation anxiety early.  Some kids get it worse than others, and my chill baby had it much much worse than my high needs baby, who really never had an issue with it, despite my holding both of them all the time, co-sleeping, bf on demand, wearing in slings, etc.  Individual personality is a huge issue with how kids act.

[nextcommercial]

I have a daycare in my home.  Most of these babies go through a "difficult" phase around five months.  The other kids aren't as entertaining anymore,  they want to move around all the time, they want to be amused at all times.  They are more aware than they have just been put down, and they don't really like it.  

Around seven months, it usually stops because they are more mobile and able to do some pretty cool things by themselves.  But, at five months they are pretty boring, and they know it.  

I still wear the infants in carriers if I can.  But, sometimes, I just can't do it, and I will let them fuss for a few minutes, or the kids will try to amuse them until I can get over there.   Maybe you can offer her a mei tai, and teach her how to use it??  

We also use new baby containers every now and then.  I put them in walkers, or saucers or bouncy things.  But, at five months, you are lucky to get 15 minutes from each new spot.  

[mrs.t]

My DS went through this stage around 4-5 months as well, so it could be what the PPs suggested, but also, maybe your DD is teething? I know DS gets super clingy and whiny when he's cutting a tooth, and it starts long before I can feel the tooth coming in. The only way I know it's teething pain is if he gets calm when I give him a teething ring or something to gnaw on. Might be worth a shot with your LO.

[NevadaMama]

This happened with us as well when DD was 5 months old. She was very fussy and clingy all of a sudden for an entire week then boom! Two bottom teeth :) Then she went right back to STTN and being a mellow sweetheart in general. I hope that's all it is for you mama!

[Parker'smommy]

Of course not....AP is probably helping your baby. By being close and attatched to her when you are home, you are meeting her needs. I believe wholeheartedly in the saying, " An unmet need grows stronger". So, if you decided to hold her less at home, she would most probably become more upset at daycare because her needs aren't being met.

[poorlittlefish]

Thanks Ladies.

You are all making me feel better.  I guess yesterday was a better day :)