Bored , frustrated 5 month old!

[skatty]

Firsty sorry, I feel all I do is moan

Leorah is such a handful at the mo'! I was wondering if I am imagining it and she is like all the other 5 month olds but my DH has experienced how high maintenance she is this weekend too!!! All her toys bore her after a few minutes. My brother spent £50 on a V-tech mat last week and she couldn't get enough of it but now BORING!! She hates lying on her front and back now and screams with frustration. Today I decided she has to do tummy time even if she screams and that's what she did and two times managed to flip onto her back but still screamed until I stood her up and then she's all smiles. All she wants to do is stand (she tries to take little steps, so cute!), be carried around or go out. When she sees the pushchair, sling or carseat she gets really excited but if I stay in with her she plays up all day. She loves visiting people or going to babygroup but then she wont eat or sleep which causes problems later and at night. We took her to Ikea today and she was charming the pants off everyone from her sling, she just wants attention all the time! I feel like I have to perform every minute she's awake with songs, constant chatter and enabler for her to stand or get around, I'm tired and I look like a complete fruit loop pushing her around while singing the muppets theme tune constantly otherwise she starts to get frustrated and screams. Please have you got any ideas of how she can be stimulated without me having to entertain her 24/7, she's wearing me out

I do want to point out I still adore her more than anything in the world and understand that her low boredom threshhold probably has something to do with my genes but the other babies at babygroup sit nicely on their mum's laps or lie and play on the mat and go for naps. I would just love for her to have something she doesn't get tired of within a few minutes

 

[Minxy]

Stanley is the same. He won't lie down on his mat for more than a couple of minutes, can't sit up for long on his own and just wants singing to and throwing around (the higher, faster, scarier the better!) ALL THE TIME! trouble is, he's tipping 23lb now and my arms hurt

I don't think it's unusual, they're learning babies and want constant stimulation.

Stanley LOVES his playring, has Leorah got one? He feels better standing up and there's enough to keep him busy. Plus he can see me if I'm walking about or even sitting having a (rare) cuppa

We've got this 'Bubbies' one. You can't really see it but it's got a funky retro-style animal design (very YOU I think )

 

[Alfiesmummy]

Firstly Skatty do not worry, I honestly believe that all babies are like this and tbh Leorah sounds like the female version of Alfie it is so waring when all you want to do is have five minutes mummy time just you and you cant. We all love our babies and undestand just how much but it is hard, I think this is the hardest part i have ever had with Alfie as he was a diamond as a newborn never any real problems, however i think that at this age they are developing maturity before they are developing physically if that makes sense. Basically what i mean is i think that we have these super intelligant babies who want to do things for themselves yet physically cant. Like standing up all the time, yet they cant physically manage it, so when they are being layed down they kick off, they are basically being forced to do something they dont want to do not by us but by themselves, for the simple fact they just cant poor souls. I think basically we have to put up untill they are able to do these things and i dont think it will be long look how far they have come the last few months so they will pass this phase too. Alfie is just startiong to get better now but blimey when he kicks off he kicks off. Persevere hun it will get better just tell yourself each day is a day closer to when they are more independant and enjoy the (although rare) moments they are completely content,

also Minxy Alfie has the same jacket as Stanley looky!

 

[Minxy]

Aah, lovely photo! And Alfie is pefectly co-ordinated, unlike Stanley who is wearing it with a red Next stripy jumper and his Dad's hat

I can't remember why!

 

[skatty]

Thank you both for the reassurance! Its hard to think it's normal when the other babies we are around just aren't like it at all and make me feel like I'm doing something wrong. I must say though even with her demanding behaviour she is much more curious and funny than them though and I did read that babies like this make very interesting toddlers/children because they are so curious and have great imaginations.

Minxy that playring looks fab but we just haven't got the room or money for anymore toys which she may bore of within a week. Also anything like that here in Denmark costs about double the cost it is in the UK

I have to say those pics of your boys are adorable

Here's hoping they all become more self sufficient soon

 

[Tasha20]

Its a proven fact that children that are talked to all the time and are always kept doing something, do well at school and grow into intelligent adults. It is hard work , but it will be so worth it

Youve all done so well by the sounds of things, your children will be great people when they are older, will not become victims and have a great amount of confidence, they are key things children need when growning up.

Welldone ladies keep up the hard work!

 

[mummykay]

U saw what Jamie was like at the meet Katt, all he wants is fuss fuss fuss, bein the centre of attention and bein a demandin little so and so!!

I think Leorah would love a baby walker, they r so good for gettin on with house stuff while baby plays, a godsend!!

 

[Rosebay]

Hi,

wow that takes me back! Elliott was exactly the same, I'm afraid that the only way I found round it was to get out as much as possible even if it was just walking round the local shops every day. At that point I think we started swiming, sing and sign and a local baby and mum singing morning and other days we met up with anyone I knew who was about during the day or other mums, we'd take it in turns to go round to each other' s houses and we'd lie the babies next to each other or prop them up so that they could interact a bit! It was hard because it was rainy otherwise going down the park would have been an option too. I managed to find a baby walker very similar to the one above in a street sale for £10 and it was a really good buy because it meant he was upright which was what he wanted most of all. I also propped other toys up around the edges so it meant that he was interested in it for long enough for me to wash up or cook etc.

It is just a phase and it will get better. I tried to think of a morning outing and an afternoon outing so that we were at home for naps and dinner time most of the time but then we are lucky in that we live in a busy city shopping area so don't have to travel far to see people. This all must have been so much easier when families lived in extended family groups mustn't it? Whenever I went to stay with my parents and Nan (who live together) it was a breeze as he always had someone different to amuse him!

She's bright and interested and this stage will pass honest!

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[foxymum]

awww Louie is exactly the same at the moment, i don't stay in all day coz he gets so bored & just whinges.
hes got so many nice toys, but what does he want?....the remote control or my mobile phone

he moans in frustration & coz he can see Georgia & Josh moving around & doing things it makes it worse.

lets hope they grow out of this phase soon

 

[SarahB]

Emma was exactly the same at that age, she really wanted to be on the move but couldn't and she just got very frustrated because she couldn't do what she wanted, she was also extremely clingy. It was really hard going but it DOES get so much better, and it is worth all the hard work

 

[skatty]

Aww thanks for all the support

I do find going out for lots of walks is the best thing but it does mean she doesn't get time on the floor practising all those important developement things but at the mo' she doesn't want to anyway! She has turned over both ways now and has made it quite clear she doesn't like it! I did get up to her this morning and she'd rolled onnto her side though so I guess she'll obnly do it if it suits her

I will look into getting one of those stand up activity things as you all recommend them and also she played with her new mat again this morning so perhaps she just has fickle days

I wish there were more baby classes I could take her too but we are living in the country so they are two trains and an hour and a half away in Copenhagen. At least I know it's normal now, must be that these danish babies are more chilled out!

Tasha that research you quoted is good news. I have always spoken a lot with leorah as she will eventually be såpeaking two languages so i want her to have the best start possible.

Thanks everyone, I feel much more positive today and have our whole day planned with two long walks so hopefully I will get a bit fitter too

 

[Nicky_Jones]

I have to say from this point of view I am glad Ellie is in the nursery during the day 4 days a week. They do loads with her, painting, playing with sand, cooking, tent play, playing with instruments, water play, take her out to the garden, tummy time (all the babies at once), sticking things onto pictures as well as letting them free play with toys. I don't know if that gives you any ideas? She is happier doing the tummy time at nursery because they do all the babies together so they can watch each other. Maybe do tummy time when you are at the mother / baby groups?

 

[Rosebay]

Oh I forgot to mention reading books together- I used to read to him for at least 30 mins every evening when he was a little baby and we've carried on reading as a quiet time activity ever since and it really helps when he's worked himself into a state. At 5 months his fave books were ones with funny noises in them or photos of babies- especially "Mr Brown Can Moo Can You?" by Dr Seuss and a few of those baby books with photos of other babies in. I took those books every where we went- I remember reading Mr Brown on repeat for a whole hour on a delayed train once to the amusement of all the other people in the carriage (it involves lots and lots of silly sounds that you have to make!) but I considered that they would rather have me pretending to be a train and a bee and a tuba than Elliott screaming the place down which was the alternative!

Glad you're feeling better hun!
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[skatty]

Thank you so much Nicky and Rosebay for the tips

Leorah does love books, especially colourful ones and ones with babies. I am going to look on Amazon now for that Dr Seuss book.

Nicky I also like the idea of a playgroup. There is one in a nearby village that is especially for stay at home mums. Most of the kids are over a year but they said I can come along as the parents stay there and help out. I already told my DH I think I may go once a week when she's 6 months as she loves to watch older children.

Yesterday we bought a cheap highchair from Ikea as we are being given a tripp trapp. We want to get Leprah used to sitting at the table with us at mealtimes ready for weaning and it was the best buy ever. Today she sat in the chair in the kitchen with a wooden spoon while I washed up and made lunch. She has still been a bit whingey but I think maybe she's not 100%over her cold so fingers crossed things will be easier soon. We have mother and baby group tomorrow so hopefully she will enjoy it. Thanks again

 

[Rosebay]

Oh that sounds good! You could tie all sorts of things off the front of the highchair too so that she can't fling them very far and she will enjoy trying to get them back. Another book which he liked early on is "Peace at Last" by Jill Murphy, we have a copy out from the library (they do it in a board book format) and we have had it out for about a year now so I should just buy it but it also has a different sound effect for you to make on each page and as it is about Mr Bear trying to sleep in every room in the house but being disturbed the sound effects which are ones that the baby will hear everyday anyway (taps dripping, clocks ticking, mummy snoring!) so it's a nice one for vocab too.

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[KatysMummy]

Hi Katt,

Sounds like the lovely Leorah is doing fabulously!! Katy is exactly the same & its bloody hard work!! I don't know if they do it there in Denmark, but here they have a toy section at the library that you can loan toys from........thought it might save you some dosh!!

I also use the highchair a lot with various toys on her tray & bits to nibble on (which I know you will be doing soon with the BLW).

It does get easier hun

 

[skatty]

Rosebay thanks for all the book tips, i am watching both those recommendations on ebay and also bought 10 mopre books for little madam from ebay!

Hi Em, how ya doing? That is such agood idea about the library, I must check it out. It is only a bus ride to our local big library anyway and they have a great kids area that i could take her too. I haven't done it yet as we are speaking to her in English but at the mo she will just look at the pics anyway and I can make the story up!

My HV popped by yesterday to give me some info on the playgroup and we had a chat about Leorah. She said she is very alert and intelligent and her brain is developing faster than her body can keep up with. She said this is where I am starting to see the three weeks early delivery coming into play and I need to keep it in mind. She also said babies like to concentrate on one thing at a time and standing is the flavour of the week! Some babies prefer floor time when they are stronger and can move more so she more or less reiterated what you girls told me so thanks. Its baby group today so at least we will be out of the house

 

[skatty]

Me again...sorry

I just want to say we have had such a good day! Leorah LOVED baby group, she was happy all day and laid on the floor with the other babies and was giggling away. She hasn't moaned at all and it just proves that she has cabin fever in the house so I am making plans to do stuff everyday even if its only to go to the library and lie on bean bags and read books. I also have a friend I have really clicked with a lithuanian chick at baby group, she's the same age as me and really easy going and lives nearby and I can't believe what a great feeling it is to have a friend who I really get on with close by (we moved here last June). We are even going to start running together in the spring. I have taken all your suggestions on board and can't wait to get back to enjoying my lady-baby

 

[mummykay]

thats so good katt, glad its all comin together for u!!
gonna b a busy mummy now!!!

 

[Tina & Gabs]

Aww that is fab Katt; I am so pleased you have a friend too.