Having a really hard time lately

Mason&Mama · March 2012

Mason has been a disaster lately. He whines (not cries) at least 75% of his awake time. It's like he is always on the verge of a meltdown (although usually it doesn't go beyond nonstop fussing.) It's not that I can't deal with a fussy baby. He has been high maintenance and was border-line colic when he was younger. I just feel like I am failing as a mother because he is not happy enough. I can still make him laugh, and he still smiles a lot, but he will smile at something that I do and then turn his head and make his fussy noises. I don't think that it is anything physical. His first tooth came in earlier this week so some of it was that. He could also be working on another one, but Tylenol, teething gel, and teethers don't seem to make a difference in how he has been acting. No fevers. He is eating, pooping, and peeing fine. He is even sleeping the same, so I don't think that he is physically uncomfortable or overtired. I have spent most of our days playing one-on-one with him. I also makes sure he gets some independent playtime. We go out of the house on walks, to stores, and to visit people. He seems to be least fussy when on ou walks. Car rides are a nightmare. Shopping trips are short. We have good moments, and I still love every minute I spend with him. I just don't know how to make my baby stay happy, and that makes me very sad. Can anyone relate? Is this a phase? Any tricks that I haven't thought of? For a while around 5 months old, I thought that I finally had a "happy" baby, but those good days are now the minority.

AnnaMPAdams · March 2012

I don't usually post, but we just went through the exact same thing so I feel bad about what you're going through. Anderson's fussy phase lasted about a month and a half. We discovered that he was teething, and he got his first tooth about 2 weeks into this "phase", followed by his second tooth 12 days later. Now that both teeth are completely broken through the skin he seems to be back to himself.

I hope he feels better soon! I know it's miserable for you to watch him fuss and feel like he's unhappy. I'm sure he will snap out of it as quickly as it began! Good luck : )

Mason&Mama · March 2012

AnnaMPAdams:
I don't usually post, but we just went through the exact same thing so I feel bad about what you're going through. Anderson's fussy phase lasted about a month and a half. We discovered that he was teething, and he got his first tooth about 2 weeks into this "phase", followed by his second tooth 12 days later. Now that both teeth are completely broken through the skin he seems to be back to himself.

I hope he feels better soon! I know it's miserable for you to watch him fuss and feel like he's unhappy. I'm sure he will snap out of it as quickly as it began! Good luck : )

This reply already makes me feel better. I have been hoping that it is teething and just a phase. I hate to think of him being uncomfortable. I think that I have tried all of the classic teething tricks (cold cloths, ice in the mesh feeder, Tylenol, etc). The only thing that I havent tried yet is motrin. I think that I might buy some tomorrow. I hate to over-medicate, but I will do anything to make him feel better. I am glad Anderson is doing better. He is a cutie.

Mason&Mama · March 2012

AuburnGirlSC:
Car rides have been pretty difficult for us lately. I imagine we are going to have to get rid of the infant car seat soon. He still fits in it but he cries as soon as I put him in it.

I think they are also more likely to be fussy when they are going through a big developmental change or a growth spurt. It is only temporary. I hope that helps! I know what it's like to have a really fussy baby but it sounds like you are doing a great job.

Thank you. Maybe he IS getting ready for a developmental milestone. I like this theory. Maybe he will get off of his lazy butt and start crawling soon. Half the time, I feel like he whines out of frustration that he can't get anywhere on his own.

lucylea · March 2012

About two weeks ago we went through this with DS, which I think would put him at almost exactly Mason's age. He was just generally whiney, fussy, and not his usual happy self. It lasted about 10 days and then he was back to normal. No teeth here yet so I don't think that was the culprit.

Saltina11 · March 2012

This sounds like my LO when she was getting her first 2 teeth. You mentioned Motrin, and I highly recommend it. It helps with the swelling of gums and worked much better for us helping her than the Tylenol did. Good luck!

She really enjoyed gnawing on pizza crusts during that phase.

Mason&Mama · March 2012

Saltina11:
This sounds like my LO when she was getting her first 2 teeth. You mentioned Motrin, and I highly recommend it. It helps with the swelling of gums and worked much better for us helping her than the Tylenol did. Good luck!

She really enjoyed gnawing on pizza crusts during that phase.

I came home to a baby with garlic breath the other day from my dad sharing his pizza crusts. He did enjoy them though.

AsOctoberFalls · March 2012

Is he in the midst of a wonder week? I'm not sure when they happen (you can google them) but I've heard they can correspond with fussiness. I know how it feels to feel like you're letting your little one down, but you're not... you're doing fine!

LnR70707 · March 2012

C is starting another phase like that. I think it is part separation anxiety (even though I am right there most of the time) and part teething. I think some of it is just frustration on their part too...they are learning new stuff all the time and I think the brain is developing faster than their motor skills. It got better for a short period after C started crawling, but I think the teething is overriding that for us now.

IlliniQT · March 2012

L&R70707:
C is starting another phase like that. I think it is part separation anxiety (even though I am right there most of the time) and part teething. I think some of it is just frustration on their part too...they are learning new stuff all the time and I think the brain is developing faster than their motor skills. It got better for a short period after C started crawling, but I think the teething is overriding that for us now.

I just said to DH last night, I feel like Cam is getting frustrated that he knows what he wants, and can't convey it to us. And he just wants it now, now, now!

Abbney · March 2012

Rob was like that a few months ago, we have a PnP in our bedroom with toys for when I'm in the shower/dOing laundry while he is awake (which is rare) so I switched out the toys for some of the ones downstairs that he plays with the majority of the time, and that helped. He could be bored...

Five_letter · March 2012

We went through this, and I was ashamed of my frustration level.

iPod earbuds saved my life.

Mason&Mama · March 2012

Five_letter:

We went through this, and I was ashamed of my frustration level.

iPod earbuds saved my life.

Thanks for the suggestion, but unfortunately my unpopular opinion (in the first thread) was that I don't really listen to music. I have an iPad that I could use, but I don't have an iPod.

I am more frustrated that I feel helpless makinghim happy, not necessarily with his noises. I have been dealing with my cranky cutie for 7 1/2 months.

Mason&Mama · March 2012

Five_letter:

We went through this, and I was ashamed of my frustration level.

iPod earbuds saved my life.

Thanks for the suggestion, but unfortunately my unpopular opinion (in the first thread) was that I don't really listen to music. I have an iPad that I could use, but I don't have an iPod.

I am more frustrated that I feel helpless making him happy, not necessarily with his noises. I have been dealing with my cranky cutie for 7 1/2 months.

Abbney · March 2012

Also...bubble guppies on NIck Jr saved me, Rob likes anything with music and they are just too cute

AshleyMF1983 · March 2012

This phase WILL end!!

My DD had terrible, awful colic until she was 4 months old. Then she went through a happy phase, then a really whiney one that lasted about a month. Now she's back to being super happy. So don't worry...it won't be like this forever!

P.S. I agree with Abbney - Bubble Guppies are so awesome that I enjoy the show myself as well!

Five_letter · March 2012

Mason&Mama:
Five_letter:

We went through this, and I was ashamed of my frustration level.

iPod earbuds saved my life.

Thanks for the suggestion, but unfortunately my unpopular opinion (in the first thread) was that I don't really listen to music. I have an iPad that I could use, but I don't have an iPod.

I am more frustrated that I feel helpless making him happy, not necessarily with his noises. I have been dealing with my cranky cutie for 7 1/2 months.

I understand the frustration as well. I use music to zone out, when I'm at my breaking point.

It frustrates me that I can't soothe her. Sometimes, I need to just step away, re access, and go in from a different angle.

This too shall pass

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