8-Month Old Going Through Very Trying Time!

My 10 month old went through the same thing. She was the best baby and then all of a sudden, she changed! I finally took her to the doctor and it turned out she had an ear infection even though she never pulled at her ear. I think your son is feeling something more than separation anxiety...there's a reason he's upset if he's been such a happy baby all along.

Have you talked to his pediatrician about acid reflex? Every baby has it, but it affects some worse than others. It is very painful for them and they can only express themselves by crying right now. My baby was only happy when we were holding her because as a baby we are their only true source of comfort. I can't imagine an 8 month old trying to manipulate you yet. From what I've been told they are too young (not to say it can't be that ... every child is different) to know how to play you. They can't tell you they don't feel good, and often only want you.
Of course, this is the age for severe separation anxiety in many kids. Both of mine had that too and the only thing we could do is make them feel safe and love on them.
Good luck...I know what a crying baby can do to the nerves!

Sounds pretty typical to me- a mother of four. Babies go through lots of different stages in the first couple of years so just do your best to make him content and soon enough he'll move on to something else.

I totally disagree with one person who posted that your child is spoiled- I think it is very hard to spoil an 8 month old- they are infants for goodness sake! I agree you should rule out an ear infection (that was my first thought), or any other health condition. Since he is exhibiting this behavior almost all the time, I would suspect something is going on where he is experiencing some level of physical discomfort. I have twin girls, and we have experienced one twin occasionally going through something similar. One time it was an ear infection, and another time it was teething and then the last it was just getting over a cold that seemed to hang on a little longer than usual. After about a week, week and a half, she was back to her old self! I would encourage you to check with your ped, the idea about your little one being hungry is also a good suggestion to rule out. Best of luck and hang in there- it will pass! Let us know what happened! F.

There's usually a little backslide before a big leap. That may be all that's going on.

It sounds like he may have an ear infection. I would take him to the doctors.

N.,

I too hade a very happy child and then he just lost it one day. I took it for a while looking for a reason or illness to develop and nothing ever did. So off to the doctor we went. My complaints were cranky, hungry and sleepy. The doctor told me that he was going through a growth spurt and that children can grow over an inch during the night and that it is painful. They eat and drink in response to their body getting ready to grow. They are cranky because they are hurting. They swuirm because they are know somethig is happening but they can't say what. Sure enough we measured him and he had grown an inch and a half. So when you see someone and they say, "He looks like he has grown --they HAVE over night!"

I would not let this just sit. For a child complete personality to chandge is NOT NORMAL! Speak with your doctor and let him give you his advice.

We also have a daughter and she would scream at night and scream in her car seat when she fell asleep and scream while she was playing. My husband said it was "Growing Pains" I never had them and he did so I trusted him. One day while driving back from my Mom's house she fell asleep in her car seat and began to scream! He was all yelling and saying, "What is wrong with her?" I told him it is growing pains like you said. He said, "THAT IS NOT GROWING PAINS!" We went to the doctor and had test run and she was diagnoised with Children's RA! So a word to the wise-every child is different and if they cry -IT MEANS SOMETHING!!! Good Luck

I may be totally out in lala land, but my baby was like that and at our 9 month old visit we got a clue. Our doctor said she was probably hungry, she was very underweight for her height (10th %ile in wt, 75th in ht)and needed more fat - more fatty milk in our case. It worked for our girl and since a drastic change in her diet (more fatty foods, milk first and foremost), she is super happy baby!

You CANNOT spoil an 8 month old infant!!!! (and I firmly believe in saying "NO" and setting limits -when a child can start to understand them -not in infancy) At his age, he could be experiencing the first wave of separation anxiety, and I would definitely take him for a check up to make sure none of the other stuff mentioned is going on, but they go through a phase a week it seems like the first several years! He may just be discovering that you react differently to his actions and seeing what you do when he tries something new and different. Please remember though -he's 8 months old, and he's changing rapidly and will continue to do so for a few years. And also remember -all babies and children are different! I've definitely found that out!

Before ignoring it, I would go to the pediatrician to rule out an ear infection. They do not always show symptoms (fever, ear tugging). Also look for symptoms of acid reflux too.

Once anything medical is ruled out, then I would try ignoring the undesirable behavior. Although, at 8 months old and with teething and everything else going on, this type of behavior is pretty common.

Every baby is definitely different so none of us can say with any certainty what worked for us will work for you. That being said.....my little boy had very similar type problem. Then we took him to a baby wellness checkup and out of the blue found out he had ear infection in both ears. He didn't have a fever and no ear pulling so we had no idea that he was sick. So even though that may not be the answer for you, it may still be worth it to take him to the doctor just to double check. Like I said, we were surprised to find out our boy was sick because he didn't have any typical symptoms other than a cranky disposition. Of course he may not be sick and it could just be the separation anxiety stage. We went through that as well - use to be very happy to be around anyone. Would smile at strangers and then all of a sudden was scared/crying all the time. I wish I could help more. I know how stressful it can be to go through this. Good luck!!

It all sounds normal and is probably just a phase. He could be getting his molars early. My neighbor had a similar issue with those - crankiness out of blue when child was usually perfect and it lasted for 2 weeks. You said you are expecting - could be that your tolerance level is decreasing due to stress/hormones at the same time he is going through a little phase and it's just bad timing. Try to be patient. Everything passes and if it doesn't, go the the pediatrician and have him/her check for anything out of the norm. Did you have him checked for an ear infection? That can cause lots of fussiness, esp when laying down. Good luck!

I think you hit the nail on the head-- he's finally developing the will to express himself. That, and probably a little separation anxiety. My daughter is going through this right now, and I just carry her a LOT. I do have a sling carrier that I used when she was tiny, and I've pulled it back out recently because it's easier than listening to her cry, especially in public! I don't know what to tell you, except that he will grow out of it. My son was the same way, and it lasted for quite a while, but once he learned to walk, it was mostly over, because he was able to find me in another room, and because he had more exciting things to do than be held. He still had some stranger anxiety for a while-- almost until age 2-- but once it was over, it was over. Now he is very independent and confident. I did, at times, just let him cry, because sometimes I just had things to do-- make dinner, take a shower, go to the dentist, whatever. But mostly I stayed close, so he knew I was there, and he eventually outgrew it. Don't feel guilty for letting him cry sometimes-- I recommend just turning on the radio, which covers some of the wailing and may distract him for a little while, as well. Good luck-- it doesn't last forever, it just feels like it! =)

i know you said he is not showing any symptoms, but have you had him to the dr? my daughter was the same way up to 6 mos old and we found out it was an ear infection. even if its not infected, if he has a lot of fluid, it is very uncomfortable. we couldn't put my daughter down at all. she had chronic problems and we finally had her tubes put in. good luck.
keep in mind you are exhausted and probly hyper sensitive to his moods since you are already pregnant again. good luck

My 8 month old acts like this when he gets an ear infection... The only symptons he will show are normally not sleeping good and crankiness, no fever, no grabbin the ear. Just take him to the doctor to rule anything physical out. Good Luck !

How far along are you with your pregnancy? I had an "Oh, maybe it's..." moment when I read your "A little about me". Babies respond to pregnancies in strange ways.

Sounds as though he's getting spoiled early. It has to be nipped in the bud before he gets worse. NO is very efective, and ignoring bad behavior. With another one on the way, you're going to have problems unless you, your 7-yr old & hubby cooperate re: behavior. NO is the key.

If he has that many teeth already, it could possibly be molars. Which for my daughter took a while to come in. They were also the only ones that seemed to bother her also. He could also be in a growing spuirt. Or a combo of the two which would make him feel weird but without any outwardly viewable signs. You could check with your ped to see what the dosage of tylenol is for his age and size (I just don't remember) and try giving him that. Then if he is teething or growing it would help. If he's still cranky, then you can mark those off the list.

Best of luck! Its hard at this age because he can't tell you what's going on. Just hang in there!

You said it gets better when you pick him up, so I think he's trying to tell you he needs to be held more. Babies know what they need. Especially since a new baby will soon be wedging his or her way in between the two of you.
Why not get a sling or back carrier? That way you can hold him as much as you can now while he's still THE baby; babyhood goes SOO fast.

If he doesn't like being in the highchair, hold him on your lap for meals. I did and it made dinnertime SOOO much more peaceful. Get an Ergo baby carrier and let him snuggle on your back while you bustle around the house or whenever you're out and about. My kids took TONS of naps on may back in that thing, and it added a little excercise to my day ('cause I have NO time for the gym.) I like the Ergo because it can carry kids up to 35 pounds and it's so much easier than dealing with the hassle of a stroller.

Hey. It could be that with u being pregant that he can tell that it is something different about u and no liking it. With my twins I had one to do that and yes its really nail bitting when they act like this, we had to let him just cry hisself to sleep or just let him cry and he grew out of it in a few months (yes months). Might need to try to just let him cry it out because if he gets picked up everytime then he is just gonna keep doing it over and over again.

Good luck and try to releax.