My son is driving me NUTS!

Stephanie - posted on 08/25/2009

This is really funny. Colton doesn't whine, but he fake coughs! It is the cutest thing. While he is in the floor playing with his toys and I walk by and don't acknowledge him, he will let out the most pitiful cough you have ever heard. It is the cutest thing. He wants me to pick him up and when daddy talks to him on the phone, he fake coughs into the phone because his daddy does it back to him! It is way too cute.

Jeanette - posted on 08/24/2009

If you think about it, this can be a pretty frustrating age for babies. They're learning all kinds of new things almost constantly, but still lack the means to process it all the way an adult or older child would. My son is "cruising" but not yet walking, makes noises and a few words, but can't verbalize like you and I can. Then there is separation anxiety....my son actually just started this today, and I'm very surprised he made it this long! The first year of life is a big one for babies, lots of learning to do, lots of exploring to do, but this can also lead to meltdowns and easy frustration.



About him getting sick of things fast, have you thought of taking some toys away and rotating them in and out, so that they seem "new" again when they re-appear? And just like the rest of us, he can't and won't be happy all the time. Yes, it is a phase, and hopefully should pass soon!

Vicki - posted on 08/23/2009

I find my son gets frustrated now too and will whine about it. It's mainly due to the fact that he hasn't gotten down to crawling, but he can get up on his knees and then kick one leg behind, which sends him backward slightly... and he gets stuck places, haha. Sometimes he'll whine and fuss if he's not pleased with dinner. Otherwise though, I'm lucky because he is a very content and happy baby. He'll play quietly by himself for a good half an hour in the morning which allows me time to wake up and get ready, or ya know, doze for awhile, LOL.



Now it could be boredom, or the opposite, overstimulation. I find one or two toys will keep my son's interest for a longer time than a room full of them, because then he'll just quickly go from one to the next. I'd also suggest teaching him to wait a minute or two, as Mom can't always drop everything to play all the time. If he's not urgently in need of care, he can wait. I'm trying to teach my son this as well.

Lauren - posted on 08/23/2009

Recently, I have noticed the whining too. I also noticed if I don't pay any mind to it, it stops shortly after. I thought at first, "oh something must be wrong"...then I realized, I don't really have to call attention to it....it stops on it's own.

Now, I make sure there is something to play with or explore, in every room. I still catch him whining off & on, but he tends to just move on the something else without my help.



Just keep him him at eye's sight but don't react so quickly. After enough times, he may get the hint that you're not leaving and there are fun things to play with nearby.



Another thing...try rotating his toys. Don't have them all out at one time. Store some where he can't find them, and about every other week(or your preference) swap them out.

This is something I have learned to do, with every age group of children. They don't get bored and they always think they're getting "new" stuff.

Michelle - posted on 08/23/2009

Sounds like he is fustrated, my daughter started doing it at around 7 months but it only lasted a few weeks. I just tried to distract her with toys and took her out for walks. As soon as she started crawling she stopped doing it. I had a walker for her too which was great as she could get around and follow me from room to room.

Carin - posted on 08/23/2009

jumparoo's are great, he might be hungry, or overtired, especially if he's been outside or on an outing with you, that stuff really tuckers em out, but they don't wanna sleep, my son will start whining and toys and me entertaining him will only work for a few minutes, that's when i know to change his diaper (incase he pooped) and give him a bottle(of water or formula depending how much and when he ate last) and every time he passes out a feww suckjs into the bottle.
i also got my son a big mirrow that i put on the wall by just above the floor, he entertains himself really well in the morning while i get some chores done.

Ariane - posted on 08/22/2009

my son went through it - turned out to be a phase.



i have read that sometimes when they are like that you don't immediately try and entertain them another way... you say 'come on now, you'll be right and offer them a toy or something'. I found that i was going to my son too quickly and offering too many things which in turns in overstimulating and exhausting. At this age they should be able to entertain themselves for a while.



Saying that, now is the perfect time for seperaton anxiety to start so that doesn't help.



Also, perhaps he is teething and that is why he is irritable?

Amanda - posted on 08/22/2009

My son is also doing this. He whines REALLY LOUDLY pretty much all day long. And he does it everywhere just like yours. It's really bad when he's in his car seat in the car or when we're in the grocery...and my favorite when we're in meetings or church or someplace where it's quiet. Most of the time he's not hungry....I've tried feeding him and he just pushes the spoon or bottle away. He will play in his jumperoo for a little while but if I leave the room even for a second he just screams. he'll stop if I hold him but again that only works for a short time. I don't know what it is either. I try to just entertain him as best I can and get to naptime. But I understand how you feel....its exhausting and drives me crazy.

Sarah - posted on 08/22/2009

My daughter went through a squealing stage. When I took her to the clinic the nurse said that she was actually hungry. She was filling up on milk and not getting enough solids. I started offering her solids before I give her milk and the squealing stopped.

Good luck

Heather - posted on 08/22/2009

i have a jumperoo that rids my son of whining really quickly! its definitely been a godsend.