Question from New Mom

Let me start off by saying, DD is the love of my life and these last two months have been amazing, but she is very toguh to take care of all day. To keep her calm I have to walk her around the house for 45-60 minute stretches all day. If I sit down while holding her or put her down in the swing, etc she starts screaming hysterically and gets so worked up to the point of tears. She isnt hungry, gassy or any of the other things we are taught to look for. When I stand up with her she immediately stops fussing and is a happy cooing baby. I am a SAHM and this is a lot to do all day. I love holding her and thats all I want to do, but carrying a 12 lb baby around for an hour is exhausting not to mention damaging to my back. ( I tried all the carriers and she cries even harder with them) So, my question is would you let her cry it out. I am generally against crying it out, but I dont think she is crying because she needs anything or is in pain. She just wants to be held and walked. I'm afraid she developed a really bad habit and I would love to reverse it before it really sticks.

Message edited 7/31/2008 6:05:57 PM.

Re: Question from New Mom

My DS was the same way at that age - and, in fact, that continued for a while. At that age I think the only think that kept him happy was the swing or the bouncy seat - AND - he was good in them ONLY for about 15 min. I SO envied the moms that could leave their DC in the swing for an hour quietly! As he got older (4.5 mo I think) - the exersaucer was another thing that occupied him for about 15. and, the jumperoo - so I could rotate these things and get some breaks during the day - but, it was a rough go for a long time...I couldn't bear to just leave him unhappy and cry at that age but - if I had another DC i might have had to!

He did get better as he got older but, the not wanting me to sit while holding him continued for a LONG time. And, he is still a very demanding kid at 11 mo!