13 Month Old Loco Behavior!

I would suggest mixing up his day and getting him involved in some type of activities...chances are he's bored and he is looking for attention and he's getting a reaction out of you! Music tapes, dvd sing-a-longs or just start a routine with him and be faithful on keeping the schedule,kids need routine based and it should get easier as you do the same schedule daily..even if after brkfst you are singing songs or reading books, something that he's involved in!

Take a quick trip to MASTELS on St. Clair (just east of Snelling). Pick up: Hyland's Teething Tablets (little sweet pellets that he can suck on) and RESCUE Remedy (four drops in his bottle of water or milk).

Both of these remedies take the edge off of the teething process, calming the nerves and reducing the pain.

Now that school is ending (June 6th) - comb the neighborhood for a young girl looking for a baby-sitting job. Post a notice at the local grocery store or kiosk. He'll be glad for someone to play with, you'll be happy to have time to work, s/he'll be glad to have some extra money and you won't even miss the $3-4/hour. If you can find a very local 10-12 year old, you can pay her/him a little less... :o)

Check out the book, The Happiest Toddler on the Block by Harvey Karp, MD. In addition to the teething and cabin fever reasons, your son is now beginning to learn to communicate and realize he has feelings - boredom, frustration, glee, confusion, etc. My daughter is 13 1/2 months, and she's more vocal, too. I just remind myself of the stage she's in and try to give her words for what she wants or is feeling (see book about Little Cave Person-speak).

Long ride in car.

Baby Tylenol

I love the baby bjorn for cuddling and keeping him close. Also, it sounds like he might have some ear fluid issue as that is what my son was like when you put him down. Get his ears checked out and don't give him a bottle of milk too close to bed as all that sugar liquid just sits in the ear canal.

I personally think 1-2 is a much harder age than 0-1 (after you get past that exhausting first month or 2 anyway). Both my kids couldn't decide if they wanted to be babies or big kids and they were into everything. I have no great advice other than making sure you have plenty of 1-on-1 time with him and hang in there. Another phase is on it's way!

My little guy is 13 months too...and doing the exact same thing. He does get out fo the house, and we have a nanny that gives him one on one attention all day. I think it is his teeth, and new independance of being able to get around and starting to communicate more easily. Believe me, I am at my wits end too with the pick me up, put me down...game.
He also has been a great sleeper and suddenly is up screaming 2-3 times a night. As soon as I pick him up he flails around a little and falls right back to sleep in my arms. Oh well...getting more than 5 hours of sleep is over-rated anyway :)
Hang in there...

it most likely has to do with the teething. has he had any ear infections? sometimes extra fluid builds up when they are teething and it can affect their ears. my son had a couple bad ear infections in his teething stage, and he was usually fussy when he tried to lay down to sleep (the pressure is worse when he is laying down.)

another thing - you can give him homeopathic teething tablets that disolve in their mouth and really help with the soreness/pain of teething. (you should be able to find them at Whole Foods) you can give them every 2-4 hours or so...and is much better/safer than giving motrin or other pain reliever.... and it makes them feel better!

I've noticed that when I spend a little chunk of time with my child, she gets the one-on-one time she needs, and...it in a way, buys me some time too. I'll play with her for a good 1/2 - 1 hour of constant attention and then, she'll be more content to play on her own for a little while too. Although, sort of tough with a 1 yr old.

huh. has there been any unusual events happening recently? have you been busy and havent had time for one on one with your son?

every kid as they grow has periods of time where they need to be able to step back into our arms! the more patience and time you can give to your son the easier he will be able to deal with his crazy emotions.

it could definatly be teeth, or it could be separation anxiety. either way, try to give him as much time and patience as you can. if you have a carrier or sling, that would be great to keep him close to you, although some kids hate that more than anything too.

maybe it is because you moved. was that recently? if so he could feel the stress of moving and a new house and etc that he could be a little worried and , well, stressed LOL.

do you have a routine with him? if things have been so busy that you have gotten off the routine, maybe try to back up onto the rountine again.

has he just learned to walk or anything? those major milestones can cause a little bit of fear because sometimes they get up on their feet and then they dont know how to get back down or something.

i dont know. it could be many many things. i just know that my son who is 18 months deals with crazy temper and stuff better if i take the extra time with him until he gets over it.
good luck!

Hi K.
When my one year old did this I bought an over the shoulder baby holder sling and it was a life saver. You can find them on e-bay for really cheap. Good Luck :)T.

I had to read what you've been given for advice because my 1 year old is doing the exact same thing..

I dont understand the people suggesting the baby slings and such... my little one is 21 1/2 pounds... my back can only handle her for so long! lol

The only thing i've found to somewhat calm my own little one down is trying to do everything i can while sitting in the same room as her.. I give her some one on one play time on the floor for awhile, till she seems a little better, then gradualy move further away and keep where i can make eye contact and smile contact. i bring the laptop to the couch next to her, or a book or my lunch or whatever..

If i've tried everything and she's changed, fed, napped, etc, i try to ignore her fussing for a bit while i do whatever else while still sittin near her, looking at her occasionally and smiling. sometimes eventually she goes off to do her own thing, sometimes not.

Usually when she does the i want up, no i want down game, she's at the end of her rope tired.. then wont go down for her nap w/o a fight.. which i've started reading to her after puttin her in her crib and it seems to calm her to sleep about 80% of the time.

Maybe at this age they're just realizing the scarey fact that they can't always have what they want when they want it! And are just really mad at this new idea! :)

As mom's we want what's best for our little ones and would give anything to see them always happy. Unfortunately it just isnt' up to us!! ;)

Good Luck and Hang in there!

Read What the Bible Says About Child Training by Fugate ASAP! It sounds like he's come to realize he's his own person and doesn't know what to do with it. Now is the time to train him in appropriate behavior. Rather than go into it here, get the book. You'll be glad you did.

SAHM of seven

My son is the same way when we have been stuck in the house for a few days. I try really hard to get out... take a walk around the block, run to Target, go to the mall(one with a nice little play area), go to the park. It has really helped with the fussy baby! I also noticed that he was getting really bored with his toys so I started rotating them and, pulling out different lots about once a week. I hope that things get better and you can get some work done with a happy baby!