What is 5 month old baby trying to tell me?

Question

Perfectly healthy5mos. baby went from good to bad. He constantly wants attention and used to entertain himself. Now he doesn't like anything no swing , no walker , no TV. What else is there besides holding him all day and I don't want him to be a lap baby. I'd like him to learn to play by him self ...advice please

I love my baby and I'm not being selfish I 'm a first time mom and I don't understand why I can't satisfy him.

Answer 1

Maybe he's having tummy troubles. Could it be gas pains? Maybe try some Mylicon Drops. Does he cry a lot at specific times during the day? Could he have colic? Does he sleep well? Maybe he's tired. You may consult his pediatrician.

Answer 2

I bet you didn't know that baby's brain cells ONLY make connections when the baby is being held. Your baby is very smart and telling you what he needs.

You are a very important part of his development. You are supposed to spend 15 minutes every hour he's awake engaged in play with him. You are supposed to answer when he talks, shake toys at him and describe his reaction to him, carry him around and tell him the name of everything, plus synonyms!
You are everything to him, he needs you to develop properly.

Imagine, how is he to learn if he only plays by himself? Give him his minimum 15 minutes every waking hour of 'floor time.' After that, carry him everywhere in a sling, while you walk, do chores, talk with friends, etc. Soon enough, if you do it right now, he will be climbing down and running off to his own interests.

If you give him all the attention he needs now, he will be very independent and self-sufficient in a few years. You are building for tomorrow. Right now, he's more like a kangaroo in a pouch, still unformed.

He needs you, he really really needs you. And you would benefit by reading something about child development so you can understand that what you are asking of your baby is completely unreasonable and destined to leave both of you unhappy.

What is selfishness? Wanting only what you want and being unwilling to give your loved ones what they NEED and some of what they want. Is that you? Only you know. But to think a baby is bad because it wants to engage you is about the saddest thing I've read this week. Your baby is not capable of being bad - please stop using such thoughts before you really screw that kid up.

Relax and enjoy - you can do this. He wants you to suceed and if you follow his lead, you will. If you try to reject him and make him what he's not, you'll have nothing but pain and heartache.

Answer 3

like the others are saying he may be teething or he may want some other kind of stimuli may be an activity center or some other toys that can stimulate his growing mind. he wants attention but he can't express hisself like us adults can. try taking him for walks show him the birds, the grass, trees. TV isn't always a good thing to stimulate a growing mind babies love color and anything that move so be creative they are amuse at almost anything. If he wants you to hold him that must mean that he think that what you are doing is interesting. have fun with the baby. they grow quickly.

Answer 4

My guess is teething- this is when my George started- and he was much more clingy than usual. I know what you're saying- you want to do the "right" thing and you're not sure that is holding him all day! See if it calms down after a bit- and if not, try sitting on the floor and playing with him- engaging him in his toys and then seeing if he'll copy what you did by himself. Not an expert or anything, this is just what works for me!

Answer 5

INTRODUCE SOMETHING NEW TO HIS LIFE A NEW WAY TO SPEND HIS DAYS. HE IS PROBLY JUST BORED . HE IS AT THAT TURNING POINT IN HIS LIFE WHERE HE NEES A LITTLE MORE THINGS TO DO. YOU CAN TRY A WALKER OR A NEW TOY THAT HAS HIM PLAY IN A DIFFERENT WAY THAN NORMAL. PLEASE DONT THINK YOU ARE BEING SELFISH. ALSO A ROUTINE IS GOOD. ROTATE WHAT HE DOES IF HE SPENDS ENOUGH TIME AWAY OF THING THEY WONT BE SO BORING ANYMORE. ALSO ADD THINGS WHEN HES DOING SOMETHING ,LIKE IF HE SWINGS TWICE A DAY ADD MUSIC ONE OF THE TIMES. YOU COULD ALSO MAKE A RECORDING OF YOU READING OR TALKING AND PLAY IT NEXT TO HIM WHEN HES PLAYING SO HE THINKS YOUR THERE. IF HES HAVING TUMMY OR BACK TIME TRY LAYING ON ONE OF YOUR SHIRTS OR BLANKETS JUST KEEP AN EYE ON HIM IF ITS A SHIRT AND MAKE SUER THERES NO BUTTONS. -----MEL

Answer 6

He's a five month old baby! Not a house cat! Feel free to hold him all day if that's what he wants. He's too young to spoil. Kids need only two things: your loving attention and their physical needs met. What's so hard about that? Get a baby sling and carry the little dude around. That way he can be close to you 24/7 and you can do what you need to do.

Answer 7

Hun,remember to relax.You can satisfy him,maybe he is colicy,teething,or is in some sort of pain.Also,you do NOT have to justify yourself to anyone here.They do not know your situation and do not know you.There are people who abuse kids,but yet they are justified.You sound like a typical,great mother who wants what is best for her son.Just try to remain calm,and set aside some time for him and you,and allow him to play by himself other times.Good luck and congratulations on being a new mommy.(5 months isnt that long)

Answer 8

He is probably teething. Give him some Tylenol and get the teething rings you put in the freezer. See if he chews on those and calms down abit. Also, use orajel on his gums, especially if they are red and puffy.

Answer 9

Could be he is fed up being left a lone to entertain himself!!!

He may be feeling unwell or could be teething.

However, it may be that he was'nt a cuddle from his mum and to hear your voice not the TV...

Answer 10

buy a sling he will be more independant if you comfort him trough the rough spots my son did the same thing it's pretty normal but make sure you check his mouth for teething and check for fever just in case he will go trough independant and nonindependant phases though