excessive crying

Kylie - posted on 09/15/2010

Hi Ladies, my first son was the same. It wasn't enough to be in the room with him, I had to be constantly engaging him all the time, he only had 2 30 minute sleeps a day and I almost went insane to! The solution is finding what works for them and tiring them out. For example my current 3 year old daughter (4th child) was exactly the same as well. I used to involve her in everything right from a baby, sit her in the high chair next to me at the sink whilst I did the washing up, put her in the spare washing basket whilst I hung the washing, let her bang the pots and pans with a spoon whilst I cooked dinner and gave her raw vegies to chew on, played on the floor with her whilst I crawled around picking up the toys, saving her favourite toys till I needed some time out or needed to get something done I couldn't include her in, it is very tiring but they will gradually become more independant as they get older and less reliant on you for entertainment. Now I do some things with her but then explain that mummy has to get things done and then she entertains herself for a bit as she has had my attention for the time she wants. Good luck. Also with some of the kids I gave them access to a mirror and they would sit and make faces at themselves for ages thinking it was other children. Good Luck.

Corrie - posted on 09/15/2010

One thing i forgot to mention, as its very newly appeared in our routine is, the more active he gets, the more sleep he needs and i, being a bit stupid, didn't realise he was TIRED most of the time. Try putting your lo down for shorter 10/15 minute power naps every time they eat. My sons for example are up at 7, down at 9, up at half past down at 1, up at half past, down at 3, up at quarter past (Sometimes in the buggy) down at 5, up at quarter past. Bed routine from 7, bed at 8. :)

Corrie - posted on 09/15/2010

Hey girls. I hope i can shed a little insight. My son's father has been very insistant on the responses to this sort of behaviour right from when baby was 4 months; Ignore it. To mothers this seems unbelievably cruel and unkind, i mean, they must be crying for a reason?!? I've found however, that the older my lo gets, the more attention he needs and wants. If i am not specifically paying attention to him, he screams and crawls and clings to my legs and bashed the doors. I have found a solution!! I found involving him in the things i am doing helps. For example, if i am cooking and he crawls to the kitchen baby gate, i give him utensils and talk to him and let him tase things and sing and dance while i wash dishes. If i am reading a book or trying to relax, he has specific toys that only come out at times when i want to keep him occupied. Keeping me time for his nap times also works (less screaming when you relax and eat lunch means you are more prepared for the inevitable tantrum when they wake back up). Making sure you get out!!! Even a ten minute walk to the shop or a jog around the block with the buggy gives them something to concentrate on. The tv can keep him occupied for 10 minutes at a time, not ideal but a last resort and only ever educational childrens television (A sign langague based show calle something special is a good one!!).
GL ladies. I hope it goes well. Remember, it IS just a phase. Anything you do WONT scar or change them for the rest of their lives, and without YOUR sanity, the baby has no chance.
xx

Kristina - posted on 09/15/2010

I am going through the exact same thing. My daughter seems to get bored inside the house. The only thing that I have worked for her screaming like that is to take her on a walk, or go to the grocery store. She is an angel at the store, at friends, or any where in public. She def craves the attention and gets ignored more at home without any to play with since she is an only child. Sometimes I don't know what to do? At certain times I can't take her on walks, we live in Alaska and have severe weather of -40, 150 mph winds, or its pouring rain, or the fact that I just don't want her to go to sleep at that time of day cause she'll be up all night if we go on a walk at that time. If anyone has any other suggestions I would love to hear them, cause my mind (insanity) and my headaches cannot take it!