Yikes!!!

If he acts like he wants to be held, then hold him. That's a completely normal and valid desire at 4 months old. My first son wouldn't let me put him down until he was 6 months old. So I held him, even though it was inconvenient for me, because it is healthy for infants to have their needs met.

4 month olds don't usually entertain themselves!!!!!!

He may not be able to entertain himself yet. He may want for you to hold him a lot. Not every baby is happy to sit and watch - there are many different kinds.

It may not be until 2 or 3 that he will sit and entertain himself for any length of time. That's why he is a baby, because he's small and not able to do things for himself yet. He can't feed himself, he can't walk, and entertaining may fit into this category too - things not yet mastered It's just not something as visible as the others.

Dr. Sears baby book is a nice resource. There is a series of books called 'Your One Year Old" (and so forth) by Ames & Ilg that talk about what is normal for the age. Sometimes it helps to know that LOTS of kids are doing the same thing. Another helpful book is "The Happiest Baby on the Block" (and Toddler on the Block) by Harvey Karp. You should be able to find them at your library.

Hang in there! It's only just started. Learning how to cope and adapt to what your boy is able to do will save you tons of trouble.

I am focusing on "nothing makes him happy." Yes, babies that age can't entertain themselves. You and family are his entertainment and growth developers when he's not sleeping. However, not being a happy baby sends up a flag for me. Presuming you're seeing a pediatrician regularly, ask him about it in good detail. Or, if the nurse or hospital is open to questions from moms, ask them too. Give them good examples of what you mean by "nothing makes him happy."

Hi K.. A 4 month old, can't really entertain themselves, you are their entertainment :( He is getting frustrtated just like you because he can not communicate his needs. You just have to try diff things, trial and error. Pick him up and bounce him around, or he could be hungry, gassy many things. Check his gums even kids this young can be teething. Unfortunatly till they get a little older and you a little more used to his different cries and moodiness it's gonna take a little time. Also remember a baby can feel your tension and frustration and react so take a deep breath when he gets you a little nuts and go to him with a smile in your voice and he'll be fine. Don't you wish they came witha manual??lol

He's 4 months old. He needs to be near you, to be held by you. Constantly. Babies this age do not self-entertain, except the rare baby and it has nothing to do with what you do right or wrong. He's smart. He knows mommy = life and so he's clinging to you.,

Get a sling. It will free your hands up. Soon he'll be a tween and want nothing to do with you. Embrace it now, because you'll miss it later. :)

"Entertain himself"?? At 4 months?? You've got a way to go on that.....

Liz A's book recommendations are excellent. I've watched lots of babies for decades, and have met very few under 8-9 months who are able to play for more than a few minutes by themselves. Those time periods will get longer only very gradually.

My son was like this as well. He refused to sit down by himself in his bouncy and wanted to be held or at last have eye contact constantly. Once he got mobile enough to roll around and do things on his own at around 6 months, he was a happy camper. So it is completely normal (and exhausting).

(If he/she is on formula, make sure that the formula is not causing the fussiness. My son was on Similac when my breastmilk ran out and got really fussy, until we switched him to Similac Sensitive - huge difference.)

At that age my 1st loved his vibrating chair. Some babies like a swng. Maybe you can wear him in a sling or front pack- it could keep him happy while allowing you to use both hands for awhile.

4 months old is not very old. I've never seen one that can entertain themselves. think about how little time 4 months is to have gotten as far as he has. Maybe get a carrier so he can stay snuggled up while you get things done. Also, a swing is a must and can keep them soothed for a good 15-20 minutes.
I'd also suggest checking in with the doctor to see if maybe there's a reason for the fits.
Good luck and hang in there. It does get better

With my kids arching the back usually meant a gas bubble...worth a shot?

At 4 mos old they really don't entertain themselves for all that long...I used to put down a blanket and put him in a circle of all his toys...make sure he has lots to look at and to touch and chew on! Can he sit up by himself? If not just prop him up in a bobby or just pillows and blankets works too! Just another thing to try, I know my kids got tired of tummy-time really quickly so I bought a bumpo, that was pretty cool!

You can also set up a safe spot on the floor just for him and get down and play near him. This shows him how to play with his things and that you're there even if you're not holding him. Mine was the rare baby who could entertain herself at a young age and was very mobile from 3 month on. Even when held she didn't want to stay still, I had to be moving with her. I don't believe babies should be kept in "containers" too much. Floor time is very important. Also, remember that you can not spoil a baby. If he needs to be held, hold him.

When mine where that age I found they did well if they could see me, so I would put them in an excersaucer or highchair in the room I was working in and that way they could play, and I could work, while we could still interact.

You should call the Pediatrician to find out if there is anything wrong that would cause him to be so fussy. Is he eating normally? If not this could be a sign that something is wrong.
He is not really old enough to throw fits yet, so if he is needing to be held then hold him. I know it makes things hard on you to get anything done, been there done that. Right now he needs to be the focus of your day. You can clean and do those type of things when he is napping and such. You should get a sling so you can have your hands free once in a while so you can do laundry and dishes and these type of things. Don't use any harsh chemicals while you are holding him though.
Just be patient, he will be grown up before you know it and you will miss being able to hold him like this.

Updated

You should call the Pediatrician to find out if there is anything wrong that would cause him to be so fussy. Is he eating normally? If not this could be a sign that something is wrong.
He is not really old enough to throw fits yet, so if he is needing to be held then hold him. I know it makes things hard on you to get anything done, been there done that. Right now he needs to be the focus of your day. You can clean and do those type of things when he is napping and such. You should get a sling so you can have your hands free once in a while so you can do laundry and dishes and these type of things. Don't use any harsh chemicals while you are holding him though.
Just be patient, he will be grown up before you know it and you will miss being able to hold him like this.

Have you taken him to the doctor to see if there's something medically wrong? Ear infection, acid reflux, constipation, etc?

Babies can only communicate through instinct at that age. They won't entertain themselves because they haven't learned how to yet. My 2 and 4 year-old are finally learning - which makes it hard when I want to spend time with them.

Please at least call the pediatrician to see if they want to see him. It's not normal for a baby to have colic at this age (usually outgrown by 3 months).

Good luck - just remember, he's trying to tell you something. Figuring out what that is can be really tough.