Is this common for 9 month olds?
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Topic: Is this common for 9 month olds?
Posted By: 1st_Time_Preggies
Subject: Is this common for 9 month olds?
Date Posted: 05 November 2010 at 7:50am
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My DS has just turned 9 months and the last few weeks has been out of sorts. He seems to have forgotten how to self settle, cries at all naps, sometimes cries when playing (for no obvious reason) and the worst, has started waking up frequently at night! He used to feed once a night anywhere btw 11pm - 5am, which was fine as he wasn't really eating much in the way of solids.
However his eating has gotten better, he is feeding (bf) from me four times a day (one side) so I am starting to question whether it is hunger, separation anxiety or what! On occasion I have had to feed him to sleep for his night sleep, and he feeds to sleep during the night as well. He never used to! Last night it was three wake ups at 9.30pm, midnight and 2am. Just wondering if anyone else has had this, whether it is just a phase, or whether I should consider the fact that I have to be harder with him 
PS He has been sick with a bad cold but I think he is better now. He also has the top two teeth coming but the white has been there for a few weeks now with no sign of actually breaking through! |
Replies:
Posted By: HippyMama
Date Posted: 05 November 2010 at 8:46am
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It sounds like the start of separation anxiety to me, which is very very normal at his age.
He is still just a little baby who is becoming aware that you and he are separate beings, and it is only natural that he might struggle with this. Please please don't be hard on him, if anything he needs more of your love and affection than ever before to help him through this transition. It will definitely pass, I promise! ------------- Mama to two earth walkers & two angels. Remember, you are not managing an inconvenience; You are raising a human being. ~ Kittie Franz Next Slingbabies! Meet - Friday 4th May !! |
Posted By: Bizzy
Date Posted: 05 November 2010 at 8:49am
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yep agree with above... also his teeth might be starting to move about and be annoying him. ------------- http://www.myfitnesspal.com/weight-loss-ticker"> 
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Posted By: T_Rex
Date Posted: 05 November 2010 at 9:05am
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Those top teeth seemed to bother DD for a good month before they appeared too. ------------- http://lilypie.com">  http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: nicandtyler
Date Posted: 05 November 2010 at 9:23am
Agree with HippyMama I would say its probably separation anxiety, T went through something similar, and he just needed lots of cuddles, breastfeeds and reassurance, it'll pass  ------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
http://lilypie.com"> 
 April '11
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Posted By: High9
Date Posted: 05 November 2010 at 10:22am
Yup agree, Lily went through this too, but I think we've overcome it now! Sounds exactly the same to what you described! ------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
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nicandtyler wrote:Posted By: Shezamumof3
Date Posted: 05 November 2010 at 10:54am
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I would say its teething or seperation anxiety.
No need to be hard on him as he is only 9 months old and like the others said, he is probably feeling a bit anxious when away from you, its normal and he will get better with that :) Lots of cuddles and also try some bonjela where you see the white as that may make his mouth feel more comfortable if its teething. You could also put the top you were wearing for the day in bed with him at night as your scent might make him feel more secure etc - This worked for my DD. ------------- |
Posted By: Nutella
Date Posted: 05 November 2010 at 11:11am
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Thats a good idea about the top Sheza. ------------- 
 Oct 11
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Posted By: millymollymandy
Date Posted: 05 November 2010 at 11:49am
| I'd put money on separation aniexty- big issues at this age. You can do stuff like tell him you are goign out of the room during and then making a point of coming back and making a fuss of him - this worked well for us. They do grow out of it and like my one, decide that all they want to do is wander away and explore... |
Posted By: whitewave
Date Posted: 05 November 2010 at 7:47pm
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This is very normal, I called it "9 month-itis"! Usually due to a number of things happening at this age, like teething, separation anxiety, and developmental spurts (like learning to crawl, etc). Sleep is the thing that suffers!
This is when my son's sleep really went to pieces as well. Just stick with it, and it should pass in a few weeks or so. |
Posted By: High9
Date Posted: 05 November 2010 at 8:44pm
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Games like Peek-A-Boo/Where's Mummy/whoever are great for separation anxiety!
I often hide under a blanket and call out to DD 'Where's mummy?' and she gets so excited when she finds me! It helps them learn that when you go away you don't disappear completely... Etc ------------- http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: monkey33
Date Posted: 07 November 2010 at 10:06pm
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We have definitely experienced this (and still are!). DS started waking at 5 months (after previously sleeping through since 5 weeks) and did so pretty much every 2nd night for 8 weeks. Once 2 teeth came through, things were good most of the time again until 9 months - we are back to about every 2nd night and he won't settle for 2-3 hours. We have thrown CC/tough love out the window and just give plenty of cuddles/bonjela/pamol and if that doesn't work he sleeps on me for the rest of the night (he wakes around 3am).
For us it is not hunger (tried a bottle numerous times), It has to be teething & a bit of seperation anxiety. I have found a 3rd tooth has cut through a few days ago with the 4 almost there, so we are hoping for a few good night sleeps after that! ------------- http://lilypie.com">  http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: Richie
Date Posted: 09 November 2010 at 9:49pm
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Yup - separation anxiety... I'm in the Feb 2010 thread with Lil_Nic (above) and our girls went thru it at about the same time!! Only just out the other side now...... -------------  
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