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Monday, August 10, 2009

frustration in babies

Yesterday we had a bad case of frustration....it didn't click to me until late in the day!

Greg couldn't settle down all day long. At first I thought it was teething but he wasn't biting at anything in a forceful way as he does when in pain. Also he wouldn't eat properly or sleep or play. He'd actually start playing and smiling but within 2 minutes, he'd start to get cranky and not knowing what he wanted. We soothed him down everytime and than at some point in the evening I remembered an article or blog post (not sure what it was) about frustration in babies and how to go about it and so in the end I let him cry it out.

It went on I guess for a good 10-15 mins not sure..it might have been less but for me it sure seemed interminable and my heart was in pieces by this time. Dave couldn't take it and started getting angry but my baby needed to take off his frustration so I held him close and rocked him and said nothing just let him cry. Very difficult! and even know I feel that same heart wrenching feeling of then. In the end however, his tears dried down and he slept peacefully all night long with just one night cry for some food.

I figured that his frustration happened for a simple reason....he is nearly crawling and he can nearly stand on his two feet alone and because he can't quite do it and move around the way he wants he is getting frustrated. So all I have to do is let him express his frustration whenever it happens but believe me it is no easy feat. However, it is essential as otherwise his frustration will come out when he is older in other ways by maybe being sulky, pig headed and so many other things which frankly I'd rather avoid!

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

Lol! Good job letting him cry it out even though it's hard!

Queenie Jeannie said...

I've tried this but really couldn't for long. Nothing makes me nutz faster than a baby who won't stop crying!! I'd have to be locked in another room or something!

Great job on toughing it out!

Alicia said...

awww that's a tough one! but good for you!! isn't it awesome when as mothers we know that what may be seem difficult will actually be the best thing for them?! hope he's feeling better today!

mamammelloves said...

Listening to them cry and not being able to do anything about it, is the worst! My son did this on occasion, and I agree, it is so hard! If he cried a long time, I just wanted to cry with him! Good job staying strong! :)

Melissa aka Equidae said...

Thank you all for the encouragement and yes on Monday he was a happy baby again :)

Unknown said...

Been there, done that, know how difficult it is.
I feel your pain, as they say.

Just stopping by from SITS to say hi. Hope you will do the same and maybe you can catch a chuckle or two from my blog!

Monday, August 10, 2009

frustration in babies

Yesterday we had a bad case of frustration....it didn't click to me until late in the day!

Greg couldn't settle down all day long. At first I thought it was teething but he wasn't biting at anything in a forceful way as he does when in pain. Also he wouldn't eat properly or sleep or play. He'd actually start playing and smiling but within 2 minutes, he'd start to get cranky and not knowing what he wanted. We soothed him down everytime and than at some point in the evening I remembered an article or blog post (not sure what it was) about frustration in babies and how to go about it and so in the end I let him cry it out.

It went on I guess for a good 10-15 mins not sure..it might have been less but for me it sure seemed interminable and my heart was in pieces by this time. Dave couldn't take it and started getting angry but my baby needed to take off his frustration so I held him close and rocked him and said nothing just let him cry. Very difficult! and even know I feel that same heart wrenching feeling of then. In the end however, his tears dried down and he slept peacefully all night long with just one night cry for some food.

I figured that his frustration happened for a simple reason....he is nearly crawling and he can nearly stand on his two feet alone and because he can't quite do it and move around the way he wants he is getting frustrated. So all I have to do is let him express his frustration whenever it happens but believe me it is no easy feat. However, it is essential as otherwise his frustration will come out when he is older in other ways by maybe being sulky, pig headed and so many other things which frankly I'd rather avoid!

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

Lol! Good job letting him cry it out even though it's hard!

Queenie Jeannie said...

I've tried this but really couldn't for long. Nothing makes me nutz faster than a baby who won't stop crying!! I'd have to be locked in another room or something!

Great job on toughing it out!

Alicia said...

awww that's a tough one! but good for you!! isn't it awesome when as mothers we know that what may be seem difficult will actually be the best thing for them?! hope he's feeling better today!

mamammelloves said...

Listening to them cry and not being able to do anything about it, is the worst! My son did this on occasion, and I agree, it is so hard! If he cried a long time, I just wanted to cry with him! Good job staying strong! :)

Melissa aka Equidae said...

Thank you all for the encouragement and yes on Monday he was a happy baby again :)

Unknown said...

Been there, done that, know how difficult it is.
I feel your pain, as they say.

Just stopping by from SITS to say hi. Hope you will do the same and maybe you can catch a chuckle or two from my blog!