What do you do when they're crabby?

[lilac83]

I've been having some problems knowing what to do with my 5.5 month old LO lately. She is textbook/spirited and for the most part is fairly content. If she gets bored I simply roll her to her tummy, put her in the exersaucer, etc. However, lately she's thrown me for a loop because her A times are starting to increase and her tired cues are nonexistent. She gets fussy, nothing seems to really be what she wants, but if I put her for nap she only sleeps 40-45 minutes! I need to stretch this time out to get a better nap, but I'm not sure what to do with her when she gets crabby. Any suggestions?

[speechie]

Music/dance together-
books
go outside and look at the trees/cars
play in water
massage
hmmm...my first year is all in a sleep deprived fog for me!

[skatty]

That was a very hard age with my spirited DD, things became much better when she started sitting well independantly. What she did love was to sit in her high chair and watch me in the kitchen with some tunes on that I would sing along to, she loved to play with kitchen utensils but I had to do a lot of picking up! It was late winter here so I would bundle her up and we would spend time outside lying on a sleeping bag looking at the sky or in her pushchair so she could listen to outdoor noises or even put her in the kitchen sink for a splash around because to this day when she is crabby nature or water calm her right down. I played a lot of games with her sitting balanced on my knees while I half lay on the sofa because this helped her strengthen her core to sit up, being spirited she hated lying down not being able to see what's going on. Oh yes and being carried in the sling while walking around the house looking at things while I narrated saved us many a time! I think when she is sitting well you will find it much easier (for a while!) as you can surround her with interesting things in her reach, the next grumpy stage cmes when they want to be mobile but can't quite work it out 

[lilac83]

Thanks for all the ideas! My DD also likes nature. For the first 4 months of her life, that's probably what saved my sanity. It was summer so I would just head right outside and we'd walk around the yard for almost an hour! Now though the weather is colder, so heading outside means getting her coat and hat on, finding my shoes, getting my coat on, etc. Just not as easy, especially while she's screaming at me to hurry up!

I can't WAIT for her to sit independently. She's doing such a great job propped right now. I'll leave her in the corner of the couch for a bit with stuff to look at, so I think sitting will help for a little while at least!

Thanks again for all the ideas! And if anyone has anymore I'd love to hear them!

[skatty]

Aww what a little darling she looks in your avatar, how can your little pea pod get crabby lol?

[lilac83]

LOL! Thanks, but looks can be deceiving! I always say she has angel wings but a devil tail! It must be her mix of textbook and spirited, although lately I think the spirited part is taking the lead!

[anniedooday]

Two words... Laurie Berkner. She has cds and dvds. My kids have always loved her. And her music isn't anoying kid songs. Put in on and silly dance,good work out too!

[emz1907]

I remember at that age I was obsessed with the thought that I should be doing something to entertain him, when infact he was more than happy to sit alone and watch the world go by. I somehow felt a duty to be at his side 24/7 and makes sure he was stimulated, now I know he likes his alone time
I find when my lo gets crabby I can divert his attention by holding him by the window and counting the cars go by and describing everything that's going on and pointing out stuff 'oooh look a bus, isn't it big, look at that man he has a lot of shopping bags doesn't he, oooh look a red car...' and so on LOL
I know you say its hard to leave the house in winter, believe me I feel your pain! BUT it is so worth it once you are out. I live in an upstairs flat so its really hard, I have to go down and set the buggy up at the front door, back up to get the change bag then bring it down the bottom of the stairs ready, back up to get ds's coat etc on, leave him in his playpen or cot, get my coat on, back down the stairs with him in tow, wrestle him in the buggy. By this time Im stressed, sweating, he's grumpy and I wonder why I bother BUT 5 mins down the road we're both relaxed and breathing in some fresh air and I know why I make the effort. Being outside in his buggy is the number 1 thing to keep my ds amused!