Author Topic: 5 mo no more independent play  (Read 2091 times)

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Offline claire1711

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5 mo no more independent play
« on: June 06, 2014, 07:18:26 am »
My son is 5 months old generally a happy baby, eats and sleeps well on 4 hour easy.  In the last couple of weeks he has started crying as soon as he is put down on the play mat or donut ring.  He has eaten and burped and is happy but then so unhappy at being put down.  He was previously happy playing on the mat for quite a long time so what could have changed? I have a 2 year old too so holding him all the time is not an option and my back isn't strong enough to keep him in the sling plus I want him to be happy with some independent play.
Any ideas?
Thanks x

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Re: 5 mo no more independent play
« Reply #1 on: June 06, 2014, 08:24:16 am »
Sounds like a phase of SA. I saw that each time DS was on the verge of a new skill he had a phase of SA and the quickest and easiest way through it is recommended to be to keep them with you until it passes. The more you 'give in' to their need to stay very close the less they need to stay close because the trust strengthens.
I heard/read somewhere that the natural phases of SA approaching/through a new skill keep LO safe. A child learning to crawl is safer if they fear leaving their parent - so they don't crawl off the edge of a cliff iyswim.
Hope its short phase for you.


Offline Shdef

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Re: 5 mo no more independent play
« Reply #2 on: June 06, 2014, 10:18:46 am »
Can you put him on your back? Five months is a bit young for extensive independent play  :-\

I have started back wrapping and converted one sling into a hammock in hit cot with toys dangling above him. Keeps him happy for maybe 10 minutes or so, no more.

Offline claire1711

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Re: 5 mo no more independent play
« Reply #3 on: June 06, 2014, 17:47:42 pm »
I'm not expecting him to entertain himself for hours but he was happy for a while on the play mat and now he just cries!
What's SA?!
Thanks x

Offline cath~

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Re: 5 mo no more independent play
« Reply #4 on: June 06, 2014, 18:13:00 pm »
SA is separation anxiety.  This is the age where many LOs start to worry when you out them down/leave the room about whether you'll come back.  They are learning about object permanence.

I've read it recommended to play peekaboo (eg you hide yourself/a toy/your DS behind a cloth/cushion/whatever and then reappear saying peekaboo) to help LOs learn that even when they can't see an object/person , it still exists and will return.

Teething can make SA worse too with LOs being more clingy and wanting to be held.  Do you think he could' be teething?
DD1 - 8 years old
DD2 - 5 years old

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Re: 5 mo no more independent play
« Reply #5 on: June 07, 2014, 10:00:51 am »
He'll be happy to play independently for a short time again once the SA passes, it hasn't gone for ever, although SA can feel quite draining at the time.


Offline claire1711

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Re: 5 mo no more independent play
« Reply #6 on: June 07, 2014, 23:59:53 pm »
Thanks!  Hope it passes soon! Can't even remember it with my first son so I guess it wasn't too bad and hope this one's the same!

Offline claire1711

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Re: 5 mo no more independent play
« Reply #7 on: June 11, 2014, 14:14:11 pm »
Thanks everyone, it already seems better this week!  X

Offline cath~

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Re: 5 mo no more independent play
« Reply #8 on: June 11, 2014, 15:20:47 pm »
:)
DD1 - 8 years old
DD2 - 5 years old

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Re: 5 mo no more independent play
« Reply #9 on: June 11, 2014, 17:34:52 pm »
:)


Offline Adelheid

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Re: 5 mo no more independent play
« Reply #10 on: July 17, 2014, 11:54:01 am »
((hugs))
I'm in the same boat. :(