My 8 month old baby cries alot. throughout the day, she only wants to be with me and I really can't get anything done. She wants me to devote the entire day to her and she won't stay with anyone else. What can i do to entertain her? what toys can I buy her. She doesn't like being on swings.. Advice is greatly appreciated. thanks
2007-02-05 14:59:56 · 21 answers · asked by CR 3 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Newborn & Baby
It sounds like you have made her dependant on you so much that it is why she only wants to be with you. You need to slowly get her used to staying with someone else, maybe a grandparent, a sister, babysitter, etc. I know it is easy to spoil your kids as i have been there myself but she needs to learn to depend on other people as well for yours and her own good. I wish you all the best because trust me it won't be easy on either one of you but it will all get better, i promise.
2007-02-05 15:05:31 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
There is nothing wrong with a baby wanting you.
What you could do is wear her. Buy a good sling on ebay, lucky baby brand slings are great. Start her on a trend of her getting comfort and when she's calmed down try her with someone else.
The thing is that she could be getting overstimulated, the last thing you'll want to do is try to entertain her with toys or pass her off to someone else other then you or daddy.
Also make sure the environment is calm and relaxing as possible. Not to say make it quiet all the time. But think how you would feel if you were stuck in a loud, noisy environment.
Also try a routine, babies need structure.
2007-02-05 15:13:22 · answer #2 · answered by littlebrwneyemomma 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Welcome to the first of many clingy stages of baby-dom. I'll just give you a few ideas, which may actually help her lose this clingy stuff sooner. The best thing I did with my son was get on the floor with him. He sat on my lap a lot of the time, but other times he'd just let me sit or lay next to him. Get a big, colorful and comfy blanket and have a seat together. Then, get some books and toys. Stack up the books and let the baby pick what she wants to read. Then you can cuddle up together and read. Show her the toys and show her how they work and make noise or whatever. While she's finding the new items, you can slowly start to move farther away from her. If you have paper work or stuff you can do on a laptop, that's a good way to get some things done. If it's dishes and laundry and vacuuming, you may have to build up to moving farther away from her. I also tried front carrying my son while I did chores, but he really didn't like it. Good luck with this one. I'm sure you'll get through it all right. At least you'll have one strong arm from hauling a baby around!
2007-02-05 15:43:35 · answer #3 · answered by Barbara B 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
She could be teething... in which case, try the teething toys and teething tablets, until her next doctor's appointment, and he can tell you for sure if she's teething or not (he'll check her gums) and after you know for sure you can give her Tylenol
She could also be going through "separation anxiety", a phase that all babies go through, and it's not fun at all... What I did when my baby was younger and wanted to be around me ALL DAY, was: I'd put her in her high chair while doing the dishes or cooking, I'd put her in the infant carrier and carry her everywhere, may be your baby wants to play on the floor, I used to put her in a play pen with some toys, and she'd stay there for around 20 min. without fussing... my baby loves books and blocks, any stacking toys are appealing for her (she's 9 months old). Also, an Exersauser could work...
I hope this helps.
Good luck!
2007-02-05 15:16:22 · answer #4 · answered by Feed the models! 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
separation anxiety at its finest...it will go away eventually from what ive heard but at the moment my son is going through the same thing. I find his exersaucer to be a godsend for containment purposes. If Im in the kitchen I bring it to an out of the way corner so he can see me there or if Im in the living room etc... Sometimes you have to just let them fuss so they realize they have to entertain themselves which will help with developement. When I let my son play with toys on a blanket on the floor it takes a few moments for him to get comfy with the idea of mommy not being right next to him as I do something but then he gets absorbed in a toy and it wouldnt matter if i existed or not or when hes crawling around like crazy trying to pull himself up.
2007-02-05 16:47:18 · answer #5 · answered by Jessica J 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You may try just putting her in a carrier and doing as much as you can. If you put her in an exersaucer or something like that, talk and sing to her. Some babies are a little "clingier" than others. If you give her the attention and security she's asking for now, she'll eventually become quite independent, because she's secure in knowing you're there for her.
My second was this way, it wasn't long b/f she was off playing by herself and with other people, and when she started daycare she took to it right away, we never had to leave her screaming in anyones arms.
2007-02-05 15:13:08 · answer #6 · answered by Sarah G 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There is a series of three videos/dvds called, "Praise Baby" - very similar to Baby Einstein but with a Christian twist. It is set to chirstian music and is very loving and soothing. My son got one at about three months old; he's now just about 2 years and STILL watches it. I HIGHLY recommend it! We try to really limit the amount of tv that he watches, but once in a while when we need a break he can sit in his highchair with a snack or toy and watch a video. The Praise Baby collection are 30 minutes on each DVD. Hope this helps.
2007-02-05 15:09:10 · answer #7 · answered by me 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
OK, so you already have 16 answers and lots of differing advice, but I can't help but throw mine in too! This is what I believe and what worked for my 2 girls at that age:
1. They definitely go through a needy stage at that age
2. Could also be teething...give her a cold teething ring or wet washcloth
3. You could try playing with her to get her interested in a toy then "sneak" away for a few moments
4. you could try sitting her close to you and give her something similair to what you have and talk to her as you work (ex. you're folding laundry, give her a few sock to play with or you're cooking, give her a plastic bowl and spoon)
5. break down and hold her (sorry, the sling thing didn't work for me or my back!)
6. PLEASE don't put her in front of the TV! Babies brains aren't designed to handle it...experts say 30min-1hr a day is OK beginning at 18months
7. breathe and know that this too will pass!
2007-02-05 15:38:41 · answer #8 · answered by naturallycheryl 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My daughter went through a very similar stage.... it's normal... i tried a saucer which I could buy a couple minutes at a time with a she liked one movie which bought me 40 minutes (but for emergency only not a babysitter) the movie is called Yummy Yummy by the wiggles and she didn't like any other one by them this one is only music and dancing there is no story line (I don't think they follow stories well)
The key is patience keep trying to introduce new activities by playing with her (in a saucer) then let her play alone then when she wines go back and play more...
2007-02-05 15:32:57 · answer #9 · answered by shannonf_bc 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My best friend's baby is just like that with her. I'm just about the only other person he will sit with w/o going nuts. When she's doing housework she puts him a little pooh bouncer that plays music (he doesn't like playing with toys) so he can still see her and he's usually fine. She just recently started putting him in a little walker (the ones that don't really move though) and he seems to like it as well. Just something so he can look at her... have you tried anything like that?
2007-02-05 16:31:59 · answer #10 · answered by Amanda P 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋