Sudden Personality Change in 6 1/2 month old son

[rbnyc]

Garrison was always a very serene baby. He never used to wake up crying. He would just coo and entertain himself and wait for one of us to come to him. He used to enjoy being introduced to new people. He used to be a very mellow, easy baby.

Now he screams when he wakes up, he screams when he's hungry, he screams when he's wet. He screams when he's on the changing table. He screams when being bathed and dressed. And he screams when he's being held by anyone but me.

My husband is a stay-at-home dad. I work full-time. My son screams from the minute I put on my coat in the morning until I pick him up when I walk in the door.

We have checked him all over for bruises or injuries. He's fine. He's fine as long as I'm holding him.

I had to sleep sitting up in a chair the other night when we spent the night at my in-laws' because he would only sleep with me holding him sitting up.

What do we do?

Did this happen to you? How long did it last?

BTW, he sees the doctor on Saturday.

Thanks.

[SoCalDem]

1. The "terrors".. Lots of babies get them

Sometimes they are all of a sudden...afraid of people who they used to go to willingly..sometimes they are afraid of their beds..

One of mine had them.. It doesn;t last that long.. but just to be safe, you might ask the pediatrician..maybe something physical hurts..

it gets easier :)it just takes time :)

also about that time they start with separation anxiety.. He misses you :)

[wildeyed]

2. My son has always been like that, but pretty much from birth.

If I recall, at about six months, babies start to realize that people are not an extension of themselves, that other people are 'other' and can come and go. And they are not happy about this realization.

I remember my daughter, normally the most serene of babies, got difficult about bedtime at this age. But I don't remember her being an over all new baby. But all babies are different, this might be perfectly normal for Garrison.

It is good you are seeing the pediatrician. Can you move the appt. up a bit? When my kids are acting out of character, I always like to have them checked by the doctor, make sure there is no physical problem like a stealth ear infection or something.

[elehhhhna]

3. This sounds nuts but is he a Libra?

Regardless, he's figured out that y'all jump, etc. when he yells.

Try to anticipate his needs and catch him before he gets carried away--also try to keep him from being over-stimulated.

And steel yourself for the day he learns the power of his using the word "NO". You ain't seen nothin', yet.

My hubs stayed home w/ our girls for almost 5 years. Stop that guilt/envy/etc. if it's creeping up on you.

Mom of 2

(I'm assuming he doesn't REALLY scream the entire time you're at work.)

Edit; one more thing--how long's he been at it? Babies get cranky and creepy for about a week before they have a breakthrough, like rolling over, saying first word, standing, etc. Watch for it.

[rbnyc]

4. He's Libra Rising-Virgo Sun

and a huge cluster of Planets in Virgo.

I also assume my husband is exaggerating when he says Garrison screams the whole time I'm at work. I know he still takes his regular naps. I'm sure it just feels like it.

Also, he went to Water Babies 2 days ago and I saw the video. He was very good with the instructor. He really enjoyed swimming.

Funny, he stood up for the first time by himself the night before last. (He doesn't even crawl yet.) He wiggled himself off the couch and stood up holding the couch to keep his balance. My husband and I just watched in amazement.

We are now letting him cry in his crib. We change him and feed him when he wakes in the middle of the night, but if we put him back down and he's dry and full and just wants to be with me, we let him cry. It sucks! But I think we have to do it. It only takes him a few minutes to cry himself back to sleep actually, tho it feels like longer.

Thanks (and thanks everyone) for your post.

[FormerDittoHead]

5. A change in "mental persistence" happens right around then...

Until 6-7 months, babies actually believe when you leave the room, you disappear!

Around this time, however, they start to learn that you haven't disappeared, but you're on the other side of the door.

His behavior does sound extreme, however.

My one son kinda started out that way, EVERYTHING made him scream-cry - but he's calmed down.

[rbnyc]

8. He's chilling out.

Mornings are still difficult. Hubby says he cries for about an hour after I leave for work, then naps and wakes up ok.

Poor baby! It's just too much for him to understand that I have to go away, but I'll be back.

[FourStarDemocrat]

6. He may be teething..

Teething in some babies causes a lot of pain and discomfort and is common at that age. My own son went through it for a couple of months at that age and it was difficult, but if this is the cause it will pass. Good luck.

[melv]

7. Growth Spurt

He'll get through it, and all the other spurts to come.

[July]

9. Colic, teething?

My younger son went from being a "wooden baby" (slept a great deal) to a colicky baby at one month, and the crying lasted for two months. The pediatrician said it usually ended by six months, though. Symptoms were much like what you describe.

It could be teething, as another poster has suggested. Kids can be fairly miserable with that.

Our doctor used to ask, "Is he feverish? Is he eating? Is he having bowel movements?" If the answers were no, yes, and yes, he'd tell us not to worry too much. But I'm not a doctor, and I don't know your child. I'm sure your doctor will check to eliminate possibly serious problems.

If it is colic, good luck. You won't get any sleep and you'll wonder why you had him -- until it ends. It's a nightmare.

[Ilsa]

10. In addition to what has been offered: Has his diet been changing?

Maybe something new he is eating is over-stimulating him or his sleep. Some of this sounds like he might be developing more awareness.

[rbnyc]

11. I think a lot of it is awareness.

This morning my husband was feeding Garrison while I took a bath, and Garrison was fine, but then when I came out and Garrison saw me, he put his arms up and started crying. When I was out of the room, he quieted down in a few minutes, and then when he saw me again, he cried to be held by me again.

My husband thinks garrison might like a night light too. He went to bed easier last night with the light on, so he could see his mobile.

:loveya:

Thanks for your reply!

:hi: