The Baby Wont Stop Crying

Try the Ergo, or another carrier. I used them ALL THE TIME with my third. She was the same way (has two older brothers). Her crys are horrible to listen to, she's just louder and "sadder" than her brothers ever were, so I strapped her in my sling and she rode on my hip until she was 10 months old... then she started running and was much better when she could really move (she was crawling at 7 months though...)

Just try to make the best of it, it won't last forever. She needs you :)

J.

I'm guessing it's separation anxiety or teething, both of which are difficult stages, but both of which will pass. Hang in there Momma!!

Hi L.,
A baby backpack was my savior when our daughter was her age. Do you have one? A great one for older babies and toddlers is the Ergo and it's so versatile; you can wear it on your hip, back, etc. This is a stage, and it's not a fun one. BUT they only want to be held during this time. Hang in there!!

OK, normally I am NOT a fan of "just let her cry." However, in this instance, I think it would be appropriate. She is conditioned that when you are there, you will pick her up, you will nurse her, etc. She needs to be re-programmed. There will be crying bouts, for sure. Make sure you are near her, talk to her, pat her back, sing a song, whatever...but keep doing the task at hand. She will get it. She will realize that she doesn't actually need you all the time, she will be come more secure.

This WILL get worse, as she gets more independent. Now is better then ever.

It sounds normal - she needs and wants human contact and her only method of communication at this age is crying. You cannot pick her up too much. You cannot spoil a baby this age. Try wearing her (there are lots of slings that will let you have your hands free). Also - she will only be this little once. When she is older, you will not thing ' oh my, I wish I had folded the laundry', you will think, I wish I could hold her a little longer. It does not sound like separation anxiety because she was just fine when you were not there.

It sounds like to me seperation aniexty, my children went through it. Try to put her where she can see you and play peek a boo. Every time you hide take a little longer. Getting further and further away. Peek around the corner of the door in the next room. Each time taking longer to reappear. Show her you will always come back. It takes some time and yes as bad as it seems sometimes they do just need to cry. It is so hard durring this stage. Hope this is helpfull.

Aaaaw, you poor thing! I remember!

I guess she's about the age where it occurs to them you and her are not two parts of the same person, thus the resulting clingy phase. When you're NOT there, it might not occur to her that you're separated.

She also may be teething, or hitting a growth spurt, or all three at the same time.

Hang in there, it'll get better. There is nothing more stressful than a screaming baby, two older kids to tend to and a house that appears to be falling down around your ears. I used to lock myself in the bathroom and sob for a few minutes, which made me ashamed of myself, but was enough to roll up my sleeves, put on my happy face and get busy!

:)

Try to give her gas drops. Those did the trick for my boys. Then they woudl take their binki and calm down. Sometimes I could put my oldest in his swing and he was ok. But the gas drops where my salvation. People looked at me crazy when he started daycare then they saw how they worked.

Good luck and God Bless!

I agree with Bug's advice. Yes, it IS hard to hear a baby crying, but when you know you have things to do and that you have taken care of all her needs, you have to leave her in her crib, stroller or playpen so you can do what needs to be done without her following you and climbing all over you, it will not hurt or harm her, honest. It will also encourage the self-soothing skills she needs to develop.

Also, start doing things away from home just for you. You sound like you're under a lot of stress, bursting into tears and not being able to handle much more. Go to a movie, have dinner out, visit friends, go shopping, have a mani/pedi, do something you enjoy and don't feel guilty. You know she'll be fine while you're away, and being away from everything and everyone for even a short time will renew your strength and energy. (Caregivers are always reminded of this, my sister and I care for our elderly parents and I had to remind her of this just this morning.)

Know that you're a great mom ~ hang in there ~ {{HUGS}}

Ohhhhh I feel for you!!! It's been a long time since I've been in your shoes (my girls are 10 and almost 8) but I can still remember both of mine, screaming and crying nonstop. My oldest was colicky so her crying stopped around 6 months. My youngest was like yours. I finally ended up amusing myself by taking video of this dang kid practically crawling up my leg at 8 months. I would go clear across the kitchen and then video tape her wailing and crawling as fast as she could to get to me. I know, I'm mean. I had to make myself laugh. I should've entered one of those baby contests where they line all the babies up and whichever one crawls to her mom the fastest wins!! Probably could've paid for college. Anyway, I guess my advice is this - HANG IN THERE!!! She won't be like that forever. Although I must say, my youngest is still my "little partner". She's pretty attached to me. To her face I call her my partner (she loves that nickname) but in my head I call her my little barnacle. :)

Separation anxiety!
Don't you just love it?
My son went through that stage.
If I tried to put him down so I could use the bathroom he'd cry like his little heart was breaking.
If I walked out of the room same thing.
I got good at carrying him with me practically everywhere.
He was happy sitting on my foot (I held one foot WAY back from the stove) so I could do a little cooking.
He eventually got better but going through it - it seemed like it was taking forever.

My 13 month old is exactly the same way. When I am out of sight, I am out of mind. But when I am around, she wants to be held. Not only does she want to be held, she wants be to walked around. If I stand still, or sit down, she will cry. If I put her down, she is literally clawing at my legs. She doesn't do this to her daddy. I think it's separation anxiety. I also think that she needs to start walking.... SOON! lol I do just let her cry. Sometimes I have no choice. It sucks, but I have another kid, and I have things I have to get done. She is at an age now where I can say "No!" or "Hush!" and she will momentarily be quiet. But it starts right up again after 20 seconds.
My son had colic, and trust me, this is a walk in the park compared to that. It will soon pass. For both of us. Try not to get upset- I know it's easier said than done. Just know you are not alone. :)

Not sure how much "help" I can offer, but I have been through this recently with my little 8.5 month old princess. :) She is not teething yet (that I can tell), but I've been told over and over that it starts around that 9-mo mark. Also, classic separation anxiety. I know you've seen this in the answers over and over, but it could very well be the reasons for your own princess' troubles. Plus, you are "safe." A friend of mine explained this to me. When she sees you, she knows you're the safe zone, the person who tends to her, feeds her, nurtures her. She'll act that way because she knows you'll still be there. A comfort zone. I may not be explaining this well, but I hope you catch my drift.

I recently started my screaming angel on a schedule. I really think this is helping her and me. She's getting designated time with me plus time for expending energy (going for a walk, tummy time, exersaucer, bouncy seat, etc.), and 2 short naps along with a designated bedtime. All of this is flexible, of course, but it's good to have a plan. Makes me feel more sane. More in control of an uncontrollable factor (the baby). Plus I'm getting stuff done now, too, and I know when I'll have the time to do those things (again, flexible).

Not sure what your sleeping arrangements with your daughter are, but with this schedule, I went from keeping her in a bassinet next to my bed to putting her in her crib in the nursery. It may seem simple, but I think this has helped her to realize that there is a time for me to be there and a time for her to be on her own.

I'm rambling. I'm sorry. I just so totally feel your pain. I've been in your shoes more than once now and I was crying right along with her just last week. It seems that these changes are helping me and I hope any of the ideas will help you. I know how frustrating it is when you're so thankful for your child and yet so at your wits end. Motherhood is a complete contradiction. I wish you the best!

Separating anxiety. My little man is doing this right now. Plus he's teething. He's 11 months and he has been walking for over a month. So although he is on the move, he still has his ridiculous moments. If we are in the same room he is okay but once I go into another room, the screaming starts. He usually is very independent and just started maybe 1-2 weeks ago. I went through it with my two older girls as well. It's a phase so no worries...it will all get better :)!

sorry for typos- I typed this on the iPhone while nursing and I can't scroll down to correct the errors!

I have a 10 month old and she is suddenly the same way. I also have two other young children and a household to maintain. So, I know exactly what you mean. Plus I am a bit OCD so stuff like dishes in the sink and mesas everywhere can really feel overwhelming to me.

I don't have too many suggestions but here are some things that work for us right now.

Shower at night and get ready for the day before the kids get up. At least you will feel lime a normal human being even if you are sitting in a messy house.

Cook several things on Sunday or prepare things to be baked later in the week....soups, chili, casseroles, meatloaf, etc.... This really helps if your daughter is like mine and has an even harder time n the evening.

Get a carrier. I second the Ergo. Most comfortable one I've tried . At least you can get the dishwasher unloaded or vaccuum that way.

Fold clothes on the floor right next to her. Since I couldn't keep up with putting clothes away either, I finally decided to just fold everything and sort it according to person. Each person gets a basket and I put the laundry away while she is sleeping. Although I do at least one- but usually two - loads every day, I only put clothes away once a week. With everything organized and folded in baskets it doesn't stack up and fall over. ... Plus sorting it by person really saves time...

Ask for help. When things start to feel too gross and I get too behind with cleaning I just tell everyone that the weekend is going to be spent partially dong chores. It is amazing how fast we can clean when everyone chips in. I make a list of everything that beds to get done and it feels good k owing that relief is comng!

Lower your expectations. Some days I get a potty sxrubbd and some days I get all three sxrubbd. I just keep chippng away at chores but there just isn't time with three little ones to clean the entire house at once. That's OK.... One day our kids will be grown and we will have perfectly clean houses again (I"d rather have the messy house and the kids forever though).

Maybe examine your overall mental health. Are you sleeping, exercising, getting some time to yourself? Are you hormnal at all? Once I got my PPD ne'er control I felt a lot more patient and tolerant
of having such a chaotic life. Also, when I sleep and exercise I feellike I could conquer the world -- even with a crying baby :-)

Good luck and hang in there.

Because you give in and let her nurse or be held and she knows that if she cries long enough you will. Whomever watched her on Monday won't give in and she knows that. You are going to have a longer bought of crying it out because of it. You have to set the boundary and the sooner the better for your mental health. Does you husband help when he gets home? Leave the dishes for him to do. As for her following you around, put her in her playpen in the room you are working in so she can still see you and do whatever chore you need to do without her under foot. When you get done and have a moment to hold her then do so. Keepher on a good feeding and nap schedule and take advantage of her nap times, either rest yourself or do a task. With three you really have to have a schedule so all have some mommy time. Good luck, I hope something works out for you.

Purple crying?

This might be helpful:
http://www.pregnantchicken.com/pregnant-chicken-blog/2011...

Has she always been this way? Or is it a developmental stage?
Separation Anxiety?
Separation Anxiety, occurs at different ages and is manifested differently at each age stage. Even a 3 year old get this. For example. Not only babies.

Or, is she ill or teething or not feeling well????
When babies/kids are not feeling well, they get clingy.

IS she getting enough intake? You said you breastfeed. When a baby is hungry, they get clingy too. And if not getting enough intake. Say if your boobs are not producing much. Because at this age, and for the 1st year of life, a baby still needs to breastfeed primarily. A baby's primary source of nutrition is from breastmilk/Formula. Not solids and not other liquids.
She may just be HUNGRY.
A baby still feeds/nurses on demand at this age. And need to.
Even if on solids.
AND it seems, your baby NEEDS to nurse. 9 months old is ALSO a "growth-spurt" time in a baby.
But if not getting adequate intake (breastmilk), they will be lacking and still, hungry.
Solids does NOT 'substitute' for breastmilk.
My kids had GINORMOUS appetites, I breastfed and used both breasts per session, and they'd drink me dry. For the 1st year.

You can, put her on the floor. Let her crawl around. Even if she is only 9 months old, verbally say "Mommy is right here. You can be by me as I wash the dishes. Its okay...." and talk to her. Repeat yourself. Use your VOICE... to "console" her when you are doing things. She will, over time, get used to that and realize you ARE there, near her but are doing things.

Babies this age, go through "object permanence" and they don't fully understand it yet. Look up the term online.

It is HARD. Yes.
But you also need to do things.

It's separation anxiety---darn it. And some girls really have a severe case. There is no way through it except to get a frequent baby sitter.

My daughter was like this and hers lasted 3 years......not that your daughter's will. My daughter chased me into the shower once....when I finally locked her out until she stopped crying.

Another time my husband left for a business trip just before it started snowing.....and it snowed and snowed....his boss kept finding things for him to do there, another three days, and another three days. It snowed so much that the postman and the diaper man couldn't get down my street for three weeks. Big flat flakes, Bigger and Bigger.

I was stuck in the house for three weeks with a mellow three year old and a screaming 9 month old (who screamed and screamed)for three weeks. I went for a walk one sunny day. Bundled up my son and put my daughter in a backpack. Went one block, slipped and my daughter went screaming as she slipped, face first along the snowy/icey road. We went home and looked at the snow for three weeks.

My husband called at the end of the three weeks and said his boss wanted him to stay another week and I said, "No." You can understand why, I am sure.

I think children like this are more sensitive to their environment. They know when things change. They know who is important in their life when they are little. They know when they are afraid. They are more aware of sounds--maybe they are more musical. They love deeper when they get older. These children grow into really interesting adults. It is just harder on us parents.

Oh honey, I'm sorry. My last one was like this. Is there any way you can hire someone to come for two hours three times a week or one hour here and there just to let you get things done? They can take her outside to play or to the park or even in the other room (other kids, too) and let you power away for a bit to feel like you got a break and got a few things done?