Only wants to be carried...

YSMom

Baby just turned 6 moths this week. On the weekdays the grandmothers take care of her and I pick her up at 4pm. Baby is getting really spoiled already. She only want to be carried and walking around all day long. When I place her in her chair or in her play gym she stays there for about 10 min and then begins to cry as soon as you carry her and walk her she stops and smiles happily. What can I do? how can I fix this? Please help!! 

heathlyn9

Is this what her grandmother's do, ie carry her around all day? If so, I would talk to them about letting her sit/lay on the floor for some independent play. I know how hard it is to get grandparents NOT to shower LO with attention, but she needs to learn this eventually.

And when you say that she cries when you put her down do you mean full-on tears & screaming or just fussing? DS fusses after a while of being left to play by himself, but I usually will let him fuss a bit. I figure the only way he is going to learn to play by himself is if I let him & no way am I carrying around an 18lb baby all day. If he really starts crying I will pick him up & change environments or try to distract him with new & different toys. Or even just get down on the floor & play with him. Usually one of these tactics will solve the problem.

ktshafra

Personally I don't think it's because the grandmothers carry her a lot. I think she just misses you and wants to be with you. DD slept wonderfully through the night until I went back to work at 4 months. Since then we've probably had a week total of sleeping through the night. Her naps are also much worse for me (maybe two 45 minute naps total). At first I wanted to blame my father in law who watches her Thurs/Fri (her night sleep got worse as the week progressed and I don't like that he watches her anyways). Over time I came to realize that she sleeps poorly for me because she wants to be up playing with me. She'll sleep for 2+ hours at a time for my mom and fil, because she's not super interested in playing with them.

Our pediatrician also noted that working mothers have it harder because their babies will get up more frequently at night so they can see Mama. I think this is happening to us and it's also affecting our day time naps. 

As PP suggested, you may need to let her fuss a little bit. I need to sometimes so I can get stuff done (change laundry, finish dishes, make a bottle). But the interaction she's craving from you is good and you'll miss it in a few months when all she wants is to rough house with daddy. 

MrsEllis10

It's a stage. DD went through it for about 2 weeks. Going to have to just let her fuss. It sucks, but it's the only way. I think DD would have gotten past it sooner had I just ignored her from the beginning. I did talk to her as I walked away letting her know where I was going. While I was away I would say things like "I'll be right back". Just letting her know it's ok. 

CurbsideProphet

It could just be because it is the end of the day and she is tired. DD is often much more willing to play by herself earlier in the day than right before bedtime.

Do you have some type of carrier so that you can wear her?

StefandTodd

I really don't think your 6 month old baby can be "spoiled"...she is crying because she wants you to hold her b/c she loves and misses you.  And because she's a baby, and babies haven't learned yet how to entertain themselves and self-soothe 100% of the time.  I assure you that will come in time, when she's not a dependent little baby anymore.

I second a carrier.  An Ergo or a Beco carrier...something ergonomic that you can wear for a long time and won't hurt your back would be great.  You can also wear these ON your back and that is often enough for our LO.