Are any other moms going through this?

Question

I have a 9 month old baby who won't sit on her own for more than 2 minutes. She won't stay in her play pen, won't sit in her crib, not in her high chair, not anywhere! She used to like playing on the floor on a mat, but she's bored of it now. She wants to be in my arms all day long. Right now it's 1:00 in the afternoon, and I haven't had lunch or breakfast yet. I don't know if I'll have time to finish this question...
She 's getting worse instead of better. I keep buying her new toys to get her interested, but that only lasts for a few minutes.
I think I'm going crazy! How am I supposed to clean, cook, or get anything done? Any ideas on how to keep her interested to play on her own for more than few minutes? Is anyone else going through this? I feel like I'm doing something wrong, but I can't let her cry...

devoted2denne, I'm typin w one hand, while holding baby w the other, lol.
She crawls beautifully, in fact she's pretty much ready to walk. She just likes to crawl...on ME!! Not on the floor.
She crawls on me, walks on me, loves to stick her fingers in my eye, in my mouth...up my nose,lol. I'm her toy, playpen, food, and pacifier!!! I enjoy a lot of that, but I just want a few minutes during the day. Is that too much? Well good luck with your baby too :)

Answer 1

Oh yes my second was like that, we called her the Velcro baby.

She started walking at ten months, but didn't become more independent, instead she clung to my leg and 'walked' with one foot on MY foot. ;-)

I know, it's very hard to get anything done.
I had to 'wear' her in a sling or carrier for months, could not shower or grocery shop or do ANYTHING alone. It was exhausting. You need someone preferably to help (which is hard when you have a baby who won't let you out of their sight) but at least to vent to.

Oddly enough, this little girl who would not get off of me for two years is my most independent child now, and sometimes i miss that closeness(Now-a few years later- that I'm showered and my beds are made ;-).

I'd try putting her in a front facing carrier, she can observe and still be on you, you can get a few things done.
I always wished for a waterproof one! But really, it helped INCREDIBLY.

Best of luck.

Answer 2

It looks like you are going through a bad time. This every mother goes through, if she is the only one at home i.e. with out elders or other family member. She is insecure of something may be of being alone even for a minute. What I would do is keep the baby busy with any thing from the kitchen which would keep her busy for a minute, may be even a sweet or sugar. Keep her with you on the shelf or the baby sitter. Keep talking to her. Try to drink milk or anything which is readyly available at home. Dont keep your self empty stomach, you need energy to take care of the child and the family. Try to cook food when she is asleep or when your husband comes, or may be even in the night, get things ready for the next day so that you will not starve. This is a passing phase, I think she wants more attention. May be you could try some rhymes to be played on the CD if she is interested in music.
Take care of your self and the baby. Enjoy every moment of it.
It will never come back. All the best.

Answer 3

I'm going through this exact same thing with my 6 month old right now. Sorry I can't give you much advice - sounds like you're trying all the same things I'm doing (buying new toys, changing her scenery, etc). I was hoping it was just a "phase" but if your girl is still doing it at 9 months then I may have awhile to go yet.

I feel just like you - I wonder if it's me doing something wrong? How are other mothers able to cook and clean and take care of their babies all day? For me, it takes all my energy just to keep my baby happy and stimulated, I don't have time or energy left to take care of myself or the house. (Just like you, I don't want to let my baby cry, so I put her needs first).

Is your baby crawling yet? Maybe she is getting frustrated from lack of mobility? Maybe she won't need to be carried as much once she's able to get around on her own? That's what I've been hoping will happen with my girl!

Anyway, everybody always says to be patient because it gets easier, so that's what I'm hoping for. At the same time, I'm also trying to remember to enjoy my baby's early months as much as I can (I feel guilty about wanting her to hurry up and grow out of her annoying baby behaviors) because I know she'll probably be all grown up before I know it and I'll miss her baby days.

Good luck to you! Hang in there - I'm sure it will get better soon! 0t9

Answer 4

Hi I went through the same with my son at about the same age,I felt to, that I was going mad and ended up with post natal depression, at the end I had to just leave him to cry a little wile i ate my food or went to toilet and gradually he got used to the idea that i wasn't going to disappear any where,wen cleaning the house i put some cartoons on and time to time i came in the room and I made sure I would show him I was still there and gave him a little cloth to help mummy clean the house, the most important I always talked with him no matter what I was doing or where I was, just to reassure I was still there, try this, I know it will not be easy for the 1st week but it will get better I promise you.
You need time for your self, and sometimes it is a difficult decision to make but your daughter will be fine, she just loves you and is scared you are going to leave her which you know you would never do, so you have to show her that it is OK if mommy is not in the same room or piking her up at all times.
Good luck and best wishes.

Answer 5

I am a father with 2 kids. My son (now 2) was spoiled. Everyone held him so he still sleeps with is Mom. He gets away with that be cause I work overnight. Now my daughter (who turns 1 in a week) tryed to be like this, but we learned from expierence and laid her down in her own bed, and if she cried, so be it as long as she wasnt hurt or anything. So I thing that is the best thing for you to do. Just sit your little one in the playpen and let her cry. this is the best way to teach a little baby that they can not be held all the time. And it is hard just to see them there crying but it is better for the long run. So go ahead and give it a try. In a matter of days, if not hours, you will see the difference. Good Luck!

Answer 6

Babies, dont u just love em! hehe..

Dont wori, there's normally a fix for everything when it comes to babies. My baby was sort of like yrs when she was 8months and what i did was give her more floor or mat time again. Even if it meant she cried a lil, the more I did it, the more she got used it. At first, to help her not get bored of the floor straight away, i'd put something in her hand like a teething biscuit or something she could chew on to keep her mind on that instead of thinking 'oh oh, im on the floor again' and now my baby enjoys floor time more than being held! If the floor didnt work, i'd put her in the walker...oh and with a biscuit in her hand too :)

good luck :)

Answer 7

Its best to try and change things now well she is young other wise you will never get peace of mind or better yet a break my son was the same and now my mother in law has a daughter who does the same thing and i feel for her the best thing i can sugest is slowly add seconds to the time you leave her maybe 2 mins at first then 3 mins show her that you are the boss when she crys dont pick her up stright away just let her no that you are not going anywhere

Answer 8

Have you tried the bath, some kids love splashing around in there (I usually have my coffee while my son baths, admittedly he is older). When my son was that age I used an inflatable tub and that worked well as it gave some support and was smaller and softer than the full tub.

How about going outside, will she play on the grass, sit in the stroller while you eat? Admittedly if you live where I live that isn't going to be an option much longer.

Will she go in a backpack carrier?

Will she sit in a highchair and share your food? (of course that means you are going to be eating things that don't need cooking or preparation *lol*).

Try giving her things she can destroy (boxes, etc) that usually keeps my son amused.

Have you tried.... (shhh don't tell) TV or videos?

I know it doesn't help BUT I promise it will get better!
(and umm eat during nap time for sure!)

If I think of any other ideas I will be back. (And of course you aren't going to just let her scream *sheesh*)

Are you feeling overwhelmed by your child's intense needs?
http://www.kellymom.com/parenting/velcrochild.html

Answer 9

I know exactly what you are going through. When Jonathan only wanted me to hold him and never put him down I thought I would lose my mind. I went without a shower for two days because I couldn't even put him down. Even when he was asleep. I asked his pediatrician about it and he said to jsut let him cry. So one day I put his playpen in the kitchen, put him in it, put some toys and a sippee cup in it and let him cry. I managed to last the five minutes it took for him to be quiet and he he sat and watched me. The next day I did the same thing. After two weeks, I had my life back. He finally understood that he was not going to die if he wasn't in my arms. It was very hard for me to do, but I am so glad now I did it.

Answer 10

My son was starting to do this and he is 11 months. and I just sit him down and if he crys he has to deal with and find something to do. Because I was like this I wouldnt eat all day or I had to go to the bathroom etc. After a while they will learn they cant be held all day. but he is the worest when he is getting tried then I have to cuddle with him because it doesnt work