Bored Baby??

[Carters Mum]

This is the first time I have used site... hopefully I have it right ; )

I have had a difficult time with my 5 month old baby. He was extremely unsettled colicky bub until 3 months.

He is a bit more settled now but going to sleep is still a major struggle and he mostly cat naps (40-50mins at a time and we can do that 7 times a day after taken up to 30 min to settle).

I had a severe sacro iliac pain during pregnancy and my back is an ongoing problem now (especially as he grows). I dont have any family/friend support and no transport to town. I feel housebound and think that my bub is bored.

He only plays on a toy for 5 or 10 min tops and I continue to shuffle him between toys but nothing works for long. He wants to be upright with lots of action. He would prefer if I carried him and played with him all day - but my back cant cope. He gets really cranky and frustrated - crying/squeeling/arching back etc.

I am also tired after this long journey and feel like a terrible mother because I dont have the patience to play with/hold him the whole time.

Sorry so long - thanks

[JabberJaw]

Do you have a walker? It will keep bub upright, provide a tray to hold toys and would be easier for you to get stuff done just moving bub from room to room.

My DD loved hers, in summer i filled the tray with water and she would splash happily for a good hour or so! She used it to eat snack in etc.

Could you go for a walk? Push the pram, look at trees and birds and stuff?

Anyhow welcome to the site, hopefully you find lots of info here to help you.

[Carters Mum]

Thanks misskellz.:D
We do have a walker and its the best of the lot but still he gets frustrated.
Think I will just have to get out walking more - just difficult when he is constantly up/down with cap naps (and some housework has to get done ; )

[Moglet]

Hi Carters Mum,

Try posting your question here:

http://www.bubhub.com.au/community/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=465

There are lots of mums with 5 or 6 month olds there.

[cookie087]

How about a Jolly Jumper? Keeps them upright and most bubs around that age i know love it. Mine is 14 weeks and just starting to enjoy it now, i just clip it onto the door frame wherever i am!

[Pregnor]

I got my bub one of these, and he loves it, took him a while to get used to it, but now he happily plays in it for ages swiveling around and shoving the teething bits in his mouth.
http://www.dealsdirect.com.au/p/safety-1st-bouncing-baby-play-place/
(It was actually only $150 at a baby shop)
I know the pain of a colicy bub, are you still having probs with it now? If so have you asked about reflux? My little guy has terrible reflux and as a result loves being upright and carried around and hates being on the floor or being made to sleep (mean mummy making baby sleep :shame:):laughing:
Anyways when we are having a bad day with settling i rock him to sleep in the pram, and when he wakes up I try and rock him back to sleep, Its not ideal but its better than *pick up, put down, pick up, put down*
I didnt notice what state you are in
but in WA there is a place called Ngala that has a helpline you can call for settling advice, you can also have people come out, or you can go in for a stay and they will help out. I went a few months ago and the change in him was AMAZING (as well as medication for his reflux)

[Pregnor]

oh, if he is getting frustrated it might be that he is tired, and you are distracting him from it with the toy, thus overstimulating him, making it harder to get him to sleep.

this is a good chart that shows how much sleep your bub should get and how long they should be awake etc.
http://www.ngala.com.au/docs/Secrets%20of%20Good%20Sleepers-General%20use-B&W_1.pdf

hope this has helped a bit!