please reassure me if you will:if your DC was a "difficult" infant does that mean they will be

a difficult toddler/preschooler and so on??? i mean is there hope? my 3 month DD is not a bad baby..but man can she cry and scream! i am so sad b/c i feel like she spends most of her awake hours crabby, and crying. when she was like this in the early weeks everyone said it'd be over by 3 months..well, here we are and she is still a crab most of the time! i don't know what it is or why she is like that. she is only really happy in the morning. the rest of the day she is either sleeping and when awake has a low tolerance of being awake too long. i just wish i could enjoy her more and wish i could see her happy for longer periods of time.
if you had a child like this in the beginning did it ever get better? TIA!

Re: please reassure me if you will:if your DC was a "difficult" infant does that mean they will be

It definitely does not. In my case, I had the opposite effect. There is definitely hope.

As an infant, Joseph was a complete angel. If anyone wanted to hold him, they could. I could change his diaper & his entire outfit while he was sleeping & he wouldn't wake up. It all changed in toddlerhood. While it's completely normal to throw themselves on the floor from 18 months to 2.5 years old, he did it all of the time.

I can't tell you how much of our time is spent dealing with a 1st grader who cannot keep his hands to himself, who has perceived injustices & holds grudges. He still won't forgive another boy named Joseph that called referred to him as "the mean Joseph" LAST YEAR.

On the flip side, my daughter was a clingy baby. No one could hold her except me. If I was running out of the house, DH would ask "How long are you going to be? You know she hates me." and he was completely right. She only let her hold him if I wasn't there. She's the most well-mannered, sweet little girl. It could come from hearing us trying to keep her older brother in line but when she was an infant, I was dreading her toddlerhood.

Message edited 9/26/2007 6:07:15 AM.

Re: please reassure me if you will:if your DC was a "difficult" infant does that mean they will be

No no and no. I had a very difficult baby and he is an absolute delight!

Re: please reassure me if you will:if your DC was a "difficult" infant does that mean they will be

Nope - not at all. My son was colic and by 5-6 months he became a very happy baby. He was always very smiley as a baby and then a very good toddler. He is 2.5 and such a good boy!!!!! Now to hope my 2 mo old follows suit - he loves to cry and scream as well.

Re: please reassure me if you will:if your DC was a "difficult" infant does that mean they will be

Infant behavior does not directly correlate to toddler behavior, which does not directly correlate to school-age behavior, which does not correlate to teen-age behavior, which does not correlate to adult behavior.....

As an infant, they can't explain what they want or need. For many, it's very frustrating. Just imagine how frustrating it would be for you to be dropped in a foreign country, where you didn't speak the language at all, and try to get fed and cleaned....

Re: please reassure me if you will:if your DC was a "difficult" infant does that mean they will be

Um, well, I'm sure this isn't what you want to hear, but my daughter was colic/crabby/grumpy (we nicknamed her the "grump-ump" ) for the LONGEST time. Her colic lasted about 6 months, but after that dissipated, we were able to really see her for who she is - HIGHLY SPIRITED. She has more energy, strength of will, character, personality and spirit than any adult I know - it makes for a challenging time as a toddler - I spend a great deal of time disciplining her and directing her energy in positive ways.

BUT, with that said, it's a complete and absolute joy to be the mother of such a crazy little creature. She amazes me everyday - she has me in hysterics every hour - I know in my heart, she will go on to do great, great things with her life (as long as I continue to effectively guide her in positive ways) and I know that this strength of spirit will serve her SO well as a woman making her place in this world.

So, while my difficult baby is still somewhat of a difficult toddler, I wouldn't trade it for ANYTHING.

Re: please reassure me if you will:if your DC was a "difficult" infant does that mean they will be

Jacob cried and screamed 24/7 until 4 months. I was so worried that he was unhappy and that he would never smile but at about 4 months, he started smiling and now he is ALWAYS smiling and laughing. It does get better

Re: please reassure me if you will:if your DC was a "difficult" infant does that mean they will be

I wrote many posts about unhappy babies. I felt like i was so alone in this. My DD is 8 months old and I honestly see a little difference. She can still be crabby. She will smile and laugh from time to time but when she is tired (which seems like a lot - she fights the sleep like crazy) she is extra cranky.

She whines like nuts and if you dont do what she wants she starts to cry. Its not like that everyday, but its so trying. Everyone told me it would get better, but im still waiting for a big turn around. Dont get me wrong she is getting better but I always tell her that life isnt so bad - you should be happy.

Hopefully, your DD will start to be happier soon.

Re: please reassure me if you will:if your DC was a "difficult" infant does that mean they will be

DS is 3 months. He was so "miserable" when he was just a few weeks that I thought I was the worst mom. I could not make him "happy". Now, he babbles all day long, smiling. But while he is getting better, there is no telling what his personality will be in 3 months, 3 years or later. He is still a needy baby and all I can do is be the best mom I can. I can't take it personally. He is learning how to interact, communicate, etc...

Re: please reassure me if you will:if your DC was a "difficult" infant does that mean they will be

thank you all for your reassuring and honest answers..i appreciate it so much. i am just praying that as DD matures the sweet smiles she sometimes gives will be present more and more and she will be a happy little girl!