Re: Is this a "spoiled child"

My DD was an extremely fussy/colicy newborn and infant. She was just so needy, not only did she want to be held, but she would scream her head off when you sat down. She had no self soothing strategies and nap/nighttime was tough. It got so bad by 7 months that she would scream and wiggle in my arms, grab my shirt etc when i tried to rock her to sleep (standing up). We tried CIO at that point because she was basically CIO in my arms and it became so dangerous because of how much she faught the rocking. It worked really well for us, but she was still extremely fussy/needy during waking hours. She was fussy until about 12 months and now at 2 she is so good! I was so afraid her fussiness as an baby was due to her personality and she would be like that forever. But it wasn't and she is so good now.

ETA: a needy baby is different than a spoiled Child. Once they become a toddler, you start discipling and rewarding good behavior/choices, having expectations and being consistant with expectations,rules and discipline. Thats what prevents a spoiled child. At this point a babycan't be spoiled, but the do develop habits that you can try to prevent or encourage.

Message edited 10/9/2012 6:22:15 PM.

Re: Is this a "spoiled child"

I have the book about attachment parenting by Dr. Sears, a leading pediatrician. He says that it's not spoliing, and instead the baby is crying because he has a real need. Because the baby can't say what he wants, he cries. Dr. Sears is against CIO for babies. He suggests carrying babies in carriers. They like the closeness of being near mommy. I kind of agree with this. As the child gets older and learns to talk, if she continues to scream because she doesn't get what she wants, then you know that you need to set limits. Hope this helps.