5 month old wants to be stuck to my hip!

[leti]

I have a gorgeous 5 month old daughter who cries af I don't play with her.  She won't lie on her mat unless I'm playing with her etc etc.
Also, when we are playing, she seems to get very 'cross' and frustrated with her toys, its as if she wants them to do something but she cant work out how to do it!! She has a brilliant temperament normally. Am I expecting too much for her to play on her own for a few minutes?  I just dont want her to turn into a needy child who needs adults to play with her.  Am I expecting too much too early?  Can anyone share thier experiences please?

Thanks

[RachelC]

*bumping this up for others to see*

[gpmom]

Goodness I wish people had responded to you.  I was comming her to write the same post.  My dd is 6 months next week and has the same problem....help us people!!!!!!!!!!

[leti]

Well at least I'm not the only one!

Thanks for replying - I was beginning to think I was the only one due to lack of interests shown in my post!!

I am seeing my HV to get daughter weighed tomorrow and I am going to mention it to her and see what she says.  I shall let you know!

Leti x 

 

[em_here]

Hi there, my dd was exactly the same, it DOES improve, thats all I can say.  Once she is able to hold and manipulate them, her interest should be engaged a little more, and she should be able to play for longer periods, but atm, I would ride it out, its probably just a phase, she is frustrated, and cant tell you why so vocally does so by crying... I would say things will improve

hth a little, I know how frustrating it is, but is does pass, hugs x

[leti]

Thanks for taking the time to reply Emma Lou. 

I think you might be right, just need to go with the flow!

Best wishes

Letitia  x

[button]

Hi Leti.
My daughter is the exact same -its just happened in the last week or two (since she was about 5 and a half months) & I was considering writing a similar post. It is exactly as you described-I have always given my dd a few minutes on her own since she was just a few weeks old at every activity time and she always seemed to love it until now-I would be lucky if she plays alone for one  minute and if I do and she hears or sees me that is the end of it.
So I'm glad to hear others are going

[Cris]

Hello ladies - I have the same issue. My little one seems to get SO frustrated with play...he kicks non stop, pulls on everything, seems to get very angry/upset and his face turns bright red during this process. At times he spits up food too......and then he yells out a cry and then it starts all over again. I started wondering if there was something wrong here....but reading your posts I feel a bit better. I am a first time mother and I guess I never realized how difficult this can be. My mother was right - she told me this will be an adventure.

[Gingham Ribbon]

What stage are they at?  Can they sit up with a bit of support?  Is it activities lying down they need?

If they can sit, try putting them in a high chair next to you when you're working around.  Give them a toy for a minute then change it when they seem fed up with it.  eg a metal spoon, then a wooden one. 

If they can't sit yet, try a large mirror they can look at and touch and different things to chew and feel, things that rattle or crinkle etc.  I would avoid things that make a lot of noise or are too 'fussy'.  Simple things just to touch and mouth seemed to be favourites in here at that stage.  Noises and flashing lights seemed to over stimulate them.

Also, make sure the toys are in reach.  Mine didn't like baby gyms until they were able to reach and grab the toys.  Bold black and white pictures of faces can be good to keep them interested too.

It does pass.  I used a baby sling (kari me) for a while during the 'worst' of it.  You can wrap it so they face outwards to see what's going on or in towards you for a snuggle.  (I didn't have it on all the time, but a couple of times a day seemed to help.

Oh, also, there was a little pat mat that kept my oldest amused.  It had water in it and fish and things that he could push around inside while lying on his tummy.  I think it was from the early learning centre.

[Mydreamcametrue]

I was going to right a very similar post.  My 5 1/2 month is the same way. 

Hopefully together all of us can come up with a solution.

PP had some great suggestions.  I also use my baby carrier every single day. 

It will pass though.

[button]

Hi, My LO is 8 months now and things did get better since I last posted from about, as Emma Lou said it would. Once she learned to sit unsupported (6 & ½ mths) things improved.
She still needs a lot of attention but I find varying an activity/toy/object as Gingham Ribbon said, really helps
One specific activities that helped was a treasure basket-I got the idea on the activity board in activates ideas for 6-9 months old.
Basically it is a shallow basket or box of safe everyday household items. This has been a lifesaver-we keep items and rotate them to keep her interest in it. (Some ideas in the mentioned thread)
I used this before she could sit fully supported by putting a nursing cushion and lots of pillows behind her for support.
It is a form of heuristic play, which basically means they learn though discovery so therefore the less adult intervention given the best.
I also make little versions of treasure baskets in different rooms, for e.g. if I’m upstairs Il get an open make up bag and put all safe tubes ect in it or I have a bangle box and I put all my safe bangles or some closed tubs/ tubes of cream in the lid and she will happily play away while I get dressed and ready for the day,
But basically a box/ open bag/ basket of safe household items of different shapes and sizes (not toys) will keep her interest for a while.

I find she will also play happily if she has a group of objects-colorful and different sizes in front e.g’s : stacking cups and shapes in her shape sorter or big Lego blocks(she doesn’t use them in the intended way yet but will happily play away putting some inside other, banging them together etc
A standing play centre helped – (like a walker but doesn’t move) and also a door way bouncer-she seemed to be happier in an upright position.
I also find if I just give her (her own version) of an object that she sees me using, e.g she loves my hairbrush but I don’t want her having ones with hairs so I keep one for her and she loves my bottle of water so I gave her her own sealed fun size one.
I find with any of the above as long as I’m nearby and she can look up and see me she is fine but I find it best to turn away if I look at her too long she wants me to pick her up so I just do my own thing and glance at her to make sure she is ok or just smile at her every now and then. 
I know every LO is different but said Id share what helps me in case you think any of the above would work with your LO.