5 Month old only wants held.

Jamey - posted on 02/27/2010

Maybe your little one doesn't want to be on her back, maybe she wants a change of view. Can you prop her up into a sitting position, with pillows/boppy around her? that's what I did with my son, he just wanted to see things from a different angle. Best of Luck!!

Jara-Lee - posted on 02/26/2010

I have the same exact problem. My daughter has a swing, bumbo seat, bouncy seat and an exersaucer, as well as a high chair with toys that suction to the tray. That's not to mention the hundred other toys she has for floor play. Ytet nothing keeps her entertained unless I am right there playing with her. She used to watch her Baby Eistein movies for 30 minutes (or until it was over)..now she watches maybe 5-10 minutes. I have tried to put her in her carrier while I get stuff done but she doesn't seem to like it much. I have also tried waiting until she is asleep to do anything but now she won't even stay asleep without me there! She doesn't like her bed and we have been cosleeping, but when I try to get up she wakes up and won't go back to sleep unless I am right there with her. So needless to say, her naps aren't usually very long! I am only on the computer right now because she is asleep in my arms! I hope it's just a (short) phase that all 5 month old babies go through because I will not just let her cry until I am done. I do let her fuss for a few minutes, as long as she isn't reallly crying if I am trying to finish something, but IMO letting a baby 'cry it out' is cruel...but that's just my opinion everyone has there own opinion and parenting styles. I have to wait to do housework until my partner gets home from work, and she won't even stay with her for long before she wants me back!

Tierra - posted on 02/23/2010

I agree with sharon i also do the same thing.

Jessie - posted on 02/23/2010

oh yeah i know how that is my son is 5 months old too and he just wants to be held im holding him right now on my lap lol but that not even good enough for him he wants me to talk and play with him i have been dealing with this for about 3 months now i just get my housde work done when he is napping i have a swing bouncer play mat a play pin full of toys and nothing works he just wants mommy=]

Denise - posted on 02/22/2010

Im going through the same thing with my daughter. This is my first child so I dont know what to do.. Today i could hardly get to the bathroom.. It wasnt like this 3 weeks ago so im not sure whats she's doing.. If she goes down , she has to be in front of the tv and id like to avoid that if possible ... Im gonna read some ideas from someother mom's...

Rhiannon - posted on 02/21/2010

My boys were the same way.. they say its because we spoil them.. but really if you ask doctors and read up on baby psycology it say that holding your baby alot and catoring to their crys makes them trust more and understand this scary world they were just introduced to. There is no harm in letting your baby cry it out every once in a while letting em exercise there lungs. Swaddle her up really tight and lay her in her crib.. sometimes they just get overstimulated and need a nap but dont want to go to sleep. When my infant gets too fussy and i have stuff to do i stick him in a front pack with a binkie and let him feel close.

Carly - posted on 02/21/2010

i too have the same issues with my daughter here lately! she has begun to crawl as well so i have to keep a close eye on her. i put her in her play n pack and at first she is mad but know she is safe in there while i am cleaning other than that i let her work it out herself now if something is actually wrong i will get her of course but i agree to letting her play and cry she will figure out ways to entertain herself...mirrors do work for atleast ten minutes.

Chelsie - posted on 02/21/2010

Get a moby wrap you can still get everything done around the house while they feel close to you I got mine and my boy just loves it and I get everything done. Super investment.

Darlene - posted on 02/21/2010

My doctor keeps saying you can't spoil a baby! I really don't know. My 5 month old is pretty good on his own, but my daughter who is now 3 was a hip baby. She would not let me put her down till she was about 9 month. I actually got one of those harnesses that you carry the baby in and strapped it on so I could do house work, I couldn't cook with it on but I did laundry, sweeping and mopping, etc. You could try that. I know that when she was 5 months I had to resort to the crying herself to sleep method. I would feed her and then put her in her crib and let her cry it out. I would go back in her room every 3 monutes or so and tell her it was bedtime and rub her head but I didn't pick her up and after one night of that she slept through the night without crying. I didn't do that during the day cause I could see her little face. I know that putting her in the same room as me would help for about 10 minutes but the solution for me was the carrier. I also got back into shape quicker wearing that, it was like working out with 15 pounds on my chest. Maybe having a friend over to hold the baby might help but that won't work everyday. I would also say, if you can bare it, if she is just hollaring or fussying let her. Only pick her up when it is real crying, but you have to be able to deal with the fussing.

Kassie - posted on 02/21/2010

My son is the same age and does the exact same thing! It drives me crazy! I love him to death but I wish that he would entertain himself for a lot longer then what he does! I have a baby Bjorn carrier and that seems to tie him over for a few hours

Becky - posted on 02/20/2010

I think this is pretty typical for the age. And no, they're not spoiled. They just want to be near mommy! That's not a bad thing! They are also just starting to realize that they are separate beings from you and to experience some separation anxiety.

I agree, a good baby carrier can be a lifesaver! You could also try putting her in her highchair or infant seat in the same room with you so she can see you and you can talk to her while you are doing whatever it is you need to do. I put my son in the highchair sometimes while I'm cooking or doing dishes if he's unhappy in the living room, and he seems to really like that.

If you don't have to get something done right away, take some time to get down on the floor and play with her. This can actually help them to learn to play on their own for longer.

it is okay to let them cry for short periods of time when you need to get something done, but remember, babies need to feel secure and to know that you are going to meet their needs too, so don't leave them alone to cry for long, or often. They don't have the same concept of time that we do, so while 10-15 minutes doesn't feel like very long to you (although it feels like an eternity to me when my child is crying!), it does to them!

Noreen - posted on 02/20/2010

What kind of baby carrier do you have?? I have a moby wrap and ergo. The other traditional baby carriers you buy at the store are shoulder and neck killers!! Expecially for heavy babies! The ergo, beco, moby and a few others are great carriers that distribute the weight evenly on your lower back, hips, and shoulders making it so much easier to carry. I still carry my 3.5 yr old when we go on long walks on my back in the ergo. He's 32lbs.

Nicole - posted on 02/20/2010

Wow I guess we all have this same problem!! My son I feel is spoiled despite everyone saying u can't spoil them this young. He's 5 1/2 months old now and has been doing this as long as I can remember lol. He does roll over and occupy himself that way now for a little bit, but his attention span is only about 10-15 minutes then he's bored and crying! i have everything u can have and try but he gets bored in anything! the baby carrier I tried but he is heavy so i can't ear it too long. maybe I should try on my back instead of the front. I tried to find him a walker because know that would work, but he needs about another 1/2 inch to an inch before he is tall enough for any of the ones we tred. good luck! if you find anything in particular that works, please let me know!!

Noreen - posted on 02/20/2010

Or if you're the type of person that doesn't want/like to babywear, you could always wait until baby is down for a nap before cleaning and getting things done around the house. They are only so little for so long. Dishes will be there tomorrow, but will your baby be the same tomrrow?? No.

Noreen - posted on 02/20/2010

That's completly normal for a baby this age. My suggestion and life saver with my other children was to invest in a good baby carrier! We have the ergo!! I can wear her on my back, front, or side and I can get a lot done around the house!! Yesterday with Abby on my back, I was able to clean and mop the kitchen, clean and vaccum the living room, and fold a load of cloths and start a new one with in an hr!! And the best thing about baby wearing is that she is perfectly happy and content, I'm less stressed, and it's a great way to bond!

Arica - posted on 02/19/2010

Ugh. I have the same dang problem. Breaks my heart to see my little man (he is 5 1/2 months) cry but sometimes something has just got to give to get anything done. Sometimes I let him cry while I have to get dishes, dinner, cleaning, etc etc done. This has been an ongoing problem pretty much since he was a little over a month old. I am still trying to figure out what to do. I've tried everrrrrything... and still do... and will continue to do so. I love seeing him happy. Good luck!

Kristen - posted on 02/19/2010

my little girl gets like that but my fiancee and i agree on not picking her up for a couple of minutes and let her cry. we just dont want her to get used to the fact that if shes crying someone is going to pick her up. i would try the baby bjorn or the bumbo seat. my daughter sits on the bathroom counter in her seat and watches me get ready. probibly because she can see herself in the mirror

Katherine - posted on 02/19/2010

My husband and I have the same problem. I put my little girl in her Baby Bjorn to try and get some stuff done. It works and she likes it, but it gets a bit awkward. I hate to hear her cry, but I think I will have to just let her fuss sometimes. I am hoping she will grow out of it.

Sharon - posted on 02/19/2010

I know that there are some people that get those baby carriers that was they can have there baby with them. I too have a 5 month old, and whenever she is around her grandparents, she gets like this. Its very hard to get her back into her regular routine. I just lay her on the floor, give her her toys, and let her work it out on her own. Your son wont be happy about it at first, but he will find ways to entertain himself. Thats how my daughter learned how to roll over. She was soo mad at me for putting her on the floor, that she rolled over! Then, she was fine! Now she lays on the floor for hours and can entertain herself. Hope this helps!!

Jessica - posted on 02/19/2010

Oh my goodness....I have been dealing with the same problem here.....he has a swing, boppy bouncer, play mat, and Bumbo Seat..:.none of which keeps him happy.....I'm worried that I have spoiled him or something. Don't know what to do anymore...I can't even get my house cleaning done.