[Froggilicious]

Hi all,
I have an insanely clued in an active 5 month old. As an example she just overbalanced, banged her head, looked to see if anyone was watching, couldn't see anyone so decided not to cry. She has been crawling backwards since 4 months, forwards at 4.5 months and now at only just 5 months has started trying to stand up.
We spent the last week at sleep school because she wont sleep, mainly because she just cant seem to switch off and relax unless being fed, and will suck all night give the chance. I am simply too exhaused to keep this up and am struggling to find the balance between providing enough stimulation for her and not overstimulating her. All the staff at the sleep school were blown away by her activity levels and hadn't seen a baby like her in quite some time, if ever.
She is generally a happy baby so long and no one is trying to put her to sleep, but I am worn out. I figure we cant be the only ones to have a baby like this and would love to hearhow others managed.
Thanks

[CFMummy]

Are you talking about my baby? DD2 was axactly the same crawle at 5 months started standing and walking round furniture at about 7 months. Luckily she decided crawling was faster so didnt walk till 17 months. She would climb anything in sight. She also fed all night. She moved into her own room at 10 months and at 3 is still very active but sleeps well at night.
Hang in there it does get better but it will be a slow improvment

[happygurl06]

I'm still trying to work that out! DS is 14 months and never stops! My MIL who had 8 kids has said she's never seen one like him. Always on the go. Never sits unless it for a quick meal in the high chair.

He stands on our knee rather than sits, he stands in the bath, stands next to me if I'm reading a story (only recently have I been able to turn more than one page before he wanders off)

Feeds to sleep or in the pram. I have never been able to rock him to sleep or put him down awake.

How I cope: barely!
I rotate toys often. He has one tub in the lounge, one in the hallway and one in his room. That way he can wander around and stop and play. He loves to just wander around though, and run up and down the hall, especially if I roll a ball up and down for him to chase.

I discovered I can keep him in one place by putting on hi5. He is happy to groove and dance to a whole episode while I do dishes etc.

He got a small jungle gym for his first birthday that had a slide and ball pit ect. It's in his room. I can sit and relax in the rocker while he plays.

We spend a lot of time outside, he loves to throw balls around, push his trailer, play in DD's cubby.

Bad mum moment: if I need to get something done and he is not asleep I put some hundreds and thousand on his high chair tray and strap him in. It keeps him occupied for at least 15-20 mins before he gets cranky.

ETA: he was also crawling early, cruising furniture at 6 months, running at 10 months. When he was younger Ispent a lot of time on the floor with him, singing songs being a human jumping castle, constantly chasing him around etc. it got easier for me when he started walking and was able to entertain himself a bit. Close to sleep times I popped on music and tried to keep him a bit calmer than normal but essentially the only time he was still was feeding and sleeping.

This post has been edited by happygurl06: 16/02/2013, 08:54 AM

[Jenflea]

Hundreds and thousands? That's a bit genius lol.

[lucky 2]

if I need to get something done and he is not asleep I put some hundreds and thousand on his high chair tray and strap him in.

[Peppery]

I don't belong in this section but my now 4 year old was exactly the same at that age.

I still don't manage, I fall into bed each night exhausted. She has boundless energy.

No advice but lots of sympathy

[halcyodays]

I tried going out a lot - beach in summer, parks in winter, playgroup/library just out. I felt a bit like a nomad, but he did sleep in the pram or car eventually and I then took the opportunity to pull over and have a sleep myself or sit on a park bench for a while. I never got any cooking done, and the house was fairly untidy.
I think the outtings exhausted me more than my baby, but it was better than being exhausted at home with him getting into danger the moment I blinked.
Mine grew out of it when he learned to walk, thank goodness.

[Peppery]

Actually I just thought of some advice - once my DD was able to run (she never really walked) at 12 months. I had to find activities to wear her out. We went to the park as much as we could, outside play was my saviour.

At 4 she attends preschool 3 days a week, dancing, swimming, multiple trips to the park and a big long ride on her scooter each night. Plus she plays outside a lot of the time so she can run around.

Her father was exactly the same.

[Regular Show]

Bad mum moment: if I need to get something done and he is not asleep I put some hundreds and thousand on his high chair tray and strap him in. It keeps him occupied for at least 15-20 mins before he gets cranky.

Well I know what i'll be doing this afternoon with miss 2.5

[Froggilicious]

Oh happygurl I hope my DD is not that extreme that sounds full on. Thanks for the suggestions though. I think I am looking forward to her walking so she can entertain herself a little more. It might also be time to invest in a cleaner for a bit so the house has some semblance of order.

From the sounds of it the answer is hang on and enjoy the ride and hope she learns to sleep at some point.