VERY Cranky Baby VERY Upset Momma

Does she nap? I mean, having a daily good solid nap? Regularly?
If not, then she is over-tired. And over-tired babies do not fare well, they get MEGA fussy and lose tolerance and are not pleasant.
They have no control, over their emotions at this age. Emotions are not even fully developed yet at this age.

Is she hungry?
My daughter, since a baby, gets real irritable if hungry. I do too.

And, maybe she is the type that just likes "routine". Some babies/kids are this way. And if not, they do not transition well to anything, get cranky/tantrum and just go bonkers. Because they like routine. And regularity. Not just happenstance things going on.

Also something note worthy: my friend had a baby like that. ALWAYS crying and fussy. Never happy. She took her baby to the Doctor, the Doctor looked the baby over real carefully from head to toe. It was found... that a blond hair was wrapped around her baby's toe. Getting tighter and into the skin. Causing pain of course. The hair was blond and so it was totally invisible and hard to detect to a normal person. Once the Doctor removed the tangled hair. Her baby, was HAPPY again. And normal. And fine. The hair was so tangled on the toe that the Doctor had to very carefully snip it off. It would not come off by just tugging it with your fingers.

all the best,
Susan

Some children have more fierce little tempers than others. She may be more sensitive to things such as sound/touch, maybe has a milk allergy... or not. Often times it's from independence and trying to communicate if it isn't from those other things, it could be teething, or her being overtired and not getting adequate naps.

Dr. Sears has some great advice on this, as well as ways to help calm frustrated parents... which is pretty crucial, though difficult.

http://www.askdrsears.com/html/6/T060100.asp

calming tips for parents:
http://www.askdrsears.com/html/6/T061800.asp

If it started at about 7 months and continued till now and stomach issues and allergies have been ruled out already I would think it was teething. Most babies start teething at 6 months, some sooner and some later. Think back, when did she get her first tooth in. Teeth generally take about 1 to 3 months to break the surface and the first tooth on bottom and first tooth on top are the most painful. I would try some teething tablets or oralgel along with infant ibuprofen (Motrin or Advil). These reduce swelling as well as relieve pain. Tylenol only relieves pain. Swelling can cause just as much discomfort as the pain can.

If you do not feel that this is the case, my next question is: Is she taking a good nap and possibly two good naps a day. Do you put her to bed by 8 or do you allow her to stay up as long as you do? Do wake her early in the morning when you get up or do you allow her to sleep until she awakes on her own (this only applies if you are a stay at home mom). Teething can disrupt her sleep as well causing her to wake frequently during the night or during naps. I would suggest putting her down for a nap at the first sign of fussiness. If she has not been taking regular naps, it may seem that you are putting her down for a nap several times a day. Don't worry. If she has not been getting enough rest for awhile it may take several days or a week or more before she is reduced to 1 or 2 naps a day.

Also, Has a doctor checked her iron level to see if she is anemic. If she is anemic, she will be fussing and tired until her iron level is elevated to normal range. My daughter was diagnosed as anemic twice between birth and 18 months. I had to give her iron drops daily for several months to bring it back into the normal range both times. I now give her a chewable multivitamin with iron daily to keep her iron level where it should be.

Some babies are just not easy. Is she teething. Does she go to daycare
or are you home with her. Is she walking yet. If she goes to daycare, has
anything changed? If she is not walking yet, maybe she is frustrated and
just wants to go. Teeth-we all know that teething can make a happy child
miserable. Just some thoughts.

I am sure it will pass. In the meantime, if you can afford it, get a babysitter
and get out of the house without kids. It is amazing what a few hours to
yourself can accomplish. You come home refresed and ready to face
the world. Good luck.

I have no advice, but I will say that one of my girls was a handful starting at 11 months. My pediatrician said "you've arrived early at the land of Terrible Twos". Really, 11 months old!

And it looked a lot like what you're describing. And I read every book and tried every tantrum controlling method and I can't say that anything worked except for time. She grew out of it. Now she is a very logical and loving 8 year old who I love to hang out with.

But when it got bad, I would take a time out - put her somewhere appropriate and safe and take myself to the bathroom. I organized sitters or family so I got plenty of downtime and sleep so I wouldn't lose my temper or get too overwhelmed. It is hard, and frustrating and WAY NOT FUN. But it passes. Hang in there.

1st, some babies are harder then others (I have 2), but it seems like this is new.
2nd, everything is a stage....I promise, it will get easier.
3rd, and most important, some children play off their parents emotions. I learned this the hard way with #2 and was told from his preschool teacher this is his temperment. These children will mirror the emotions and attitudes of those around him. The fact that you are depressed and crying makes her mirror those emotions. Try 'faking it till you make it' meaning do everything to be as happy as you can around her and you may just see a difference in her temperment. My 4th child is the same way and when she gets 'tough' I look hard at my emotions and temperment and change that. It really does work!