Why am I so frustrated with my six month old?

Question

Sometimes, I am so tired and worn out after work that I really lose my cool with my six month old. She is a sweet baby but her best hours seem to be when I am at work because once I get home she is not content to play, eat, sleep or cuddle. She just wants to fight sleep and me and cry for 4 hours until bed time. I try not to let it get to me but sometimes I admit I lose my cool and yell at her. I feel terrible about it but don't know what to do. My husband works nights and goes to school and a lot of the time I don't have help in the evenings. Please help!!! Any ideas, suggestions?

Answer 1

Remember that you are not Superwoman. Having a child is an extremely large change in your life, and at 6 months, if you haven't already noticed this, you're probably still not back to your normal self. I know you probably don't get much sleep through the night either, but just try to relax a little. Understand that when she's not content, it may be because she's feeling the tension from you & doesn't know how to respond to it. I know it is hard, but try to make some time for yourself at least 1-2 times a week, time where you do nothing but what you feel like doing, even if it's just for 1/2 hour. I promise once you're getting more sleep & some Mommy time, you'll feel better, but understand that life is hard when your only 6 months old too. You vocalize your frustration by yelling, she's just using the only outlet she has.

Answer 2

Kittens from pet stores are bred in horrible conditions. They are taken from their mom cat and siblings way too early, and aren't properly socialzed to humans. This causes problems, as you are seeing. The time that kittens spend with their siblings from 6 weeks and up is really important - that is when they teach each other how to play properly without biting and scratching. He doesn't realize that what he is doing is wrong, as mom and his littermates never taught him. You can try acting like his siblings would have if he bit/scratched them, as silly as it sounds. When he bites, first push your hand *into* his mouth, not pull away. Then squeal like a hurt kitten, and hiss - loudly! Then put him down and ignore him. That may work better. Has he been neutered? That may help as well, as unneutered males can become aggressive, and he is getting older. You can also try games that really tire him out - get some fishing pole toys, and set up a time or two (or three) each day to play with him for a solid 15 minutes. That may channel his aggression to the toy, and he may be less interested in biting you. There is an especially good one called Da Bird or Feline Flyer that most cats cannot resist. One last thing - he hasn't been declawed, has he? One of the side effects of this surgery that the vets don't tell you about can be biting and aggression. If that's the case, it's a problem that you created and will have to live with.

Answer 3

I used to HATE when people told me this but I will tell you the same thing....It's going to get easier! Once she is able to crawl or even walk around she will be a completely different baby and more content. Try to make the most out of it, even though you are tired from working all day. Play some baby music for her and dance around, pick up a new toy on your way home from work and take some time to play with her. Just keep trying new things, and give her a little time to adjust.

Answer 4

I know it's hard, but I think your baby is reacting to your stress. If you were calmer, she'd be calmer. She probably takes a long nap at day care and isn't ready for bed when you want to put her there. Yelling at her is wrong, and you know that. If you work, you are missing out on a lot of your child's early development. You need to cherish these months. They don't last long. When you get home from work you should put on some quiet music, give your baby and nice warm, loving bath, then feed her, and then rock her awhile. Read her a little picture book and give her lots of hugs and kisses. If you rock her and give her her bottle (or nurse her), she may fall asleep sooner, but don't rush her. She may not need bed as early as you are hoping. OR she may get overtired and this is why she is crying. She is too stimulatled to sleep, but she wants to sleep. Frustrating for her, too. Try to keep things quiet and calm. If she cries continually you may want to call the pediatrician and and make an appointment to discuss this behavior. You may have to delay your own "down time" for a few hours until you can get her to bed. Then, make time for yourself. Take a warm bath yourself before you watch TV. You are very busy between job and baby. And your husband is so busy he can't help much. That's very hard. It causes stress. But other people handle it and so can you. God Bless you.

Answer 5

I feel the same way sometimes-my son is 18 months old and I too sometimes lose my cool with him.My hubby works long hours and I feel trapped and like I need help-I also am 26 weeks pregnant-so the work will only get more.
To help me not get mad at him I try to take deep breaths and remember that this is a phase and will pass.I also think about how I need to cherish this time that they are little because all too soon they will be grown and gone.

Answer 6

How many hours a day is she away from you? I know its hard to think but maybe you 2 just aren't use to eachother. I am lucky enough that I dont have to work and can be home with my children. If you can work part time and spend more fun time with the baby and take some time for yourself I'm sure things would work out

Answer 7

Even though your baby is very young, she still can sense your tension and frustration, and may be acting out in a similar way she sees you. I know it is really difficult to keep your calm when you're very tired, and she won't cooperate. Maybe take her for a walk in her stroller when you get home, and try taking a warm bath with her at night so you can both relax. If that doesn't work, maybe you have a neighbor you can drop her off at for a few minutes ao you can cool off.

Answer 8

Are you under a lot of stress? Maybe she is feeling the stress also. My son is 6 1/2 months old and I noticed when I'm stressed, so is he. Try relaxing a little bit if you can(I know it hard when you are by yourself). You might try listening to a CD with ocean sounds or something like that and see if that helps out. Good luck to you!

Answer 9

everyone has gone through this before. Just remember that you must be relaxed and calm yourself if you want the baby to be the same. Infants sense whatever you are feeling. Look at your child, think of the miracle that took place to bring him or her into the world. Then let all of your daily problems take a back seat for a while.

Answer 10

Don't beat yourself up to much. Sounds like you need a night to relax. I bet if you had some mommy time than you would react differently when she cries. Little girls are funny. I have two of them and let me tell you they can be drama queens even when they are babies. Maybe she is teathing. Just be patient. She might be sensing your irritability and feeding off of it. Seriously, take a night to yourself. You will feel alot better