4 Month Old Who Acts Older than She Is....

Updated on June 02, 2010
L.D. asks from Joliet, IL
14 answers

okay...i have a 4 month old who is 17 pounds and very strong. she is already rolling over from back to tummy and does not like to lay on her back and play for very long. she wants to be up..however, her back is not strong enough to sit on her own obviously and she gets frustrated in any contraptions such as a bumbo seat or booster seat. i have tried to put her in her swing sitting more upright but she just doesnt like it because she associates the swing with napping. I dont know what to do because she is becoming very fussy unless entertained because she likes to sit up against my tummy in my lap and play. she is also outgrowing her bouncy seat as she tries to flip out of it.....she hasnt mastered the grabbing at toys below eye level yet either...she tries but doesnt seem interested unless they are hanging...any suggestions :)

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So What Happened?

we tried the jumperoo and she loves it in small doses....she gets frustrated so easily and wants to be entertained ALL the time. i think that is from the daycare because she is the only infant and gets pampered a lot! she likes to sit in her high chair and play but not for long...i feel like i play musical baby chairs all day unless i am holding her of course :) she is eating much more cereal now though and i think there are some teeth coming...yuck :(

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S.B.

answers from Dallas on

Have you tried an exersaucer? My kids liked theirs starting at the tail end of 4months old, maybe the start of 5 months old. They couldn't play with any of the toys on it for a while, but they seemed to enjoy short periods of time sitting in it. Once they were a little older, I don't think I could have lived without it.

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V.B.

answers from Houston on

Exersaucer is your answer! My kids LOVED that thing. But, just to let you know, my son was sitting up on his own at 4 1/2 months, crawling by 5 1/5 months and walking at 9 months. So, you may want to spend some time on the floor with your little one and let her sit with a boppy pillow behind her in case she falls over. This will allow her to practice sitting up on her own. Or, you could sit behind her, letting her lean on you and hand her toys from the floor. Showing her that they are there may help her to figure it out.

But, as mentioned before, to give you a break so you don't have to be there every second, the exersaucer will let her sit/stand and play by herself. Good luck!

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W.T.

answers from San Diego on

How about putting her in a carrier? She can sit upright and you can get things done?

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K.P.

answers from Dallas on

I suggest you get a jumperoo. My daughter is now 10 months and did not sit at all till she was 9 months so I understand the frustration. We bouht a jumperoo for our son cause he was also a big baby (22lbs at 6 months) and it was wonderful he could entertain himself for a while with all the toys. He was about 4 months when I started putting him in it. If your little one cant support her body in it yet I took a towel and rolled it up to place around his waist in the seat to provide a little more support.

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M.M.

answers from Chicago on

Do you have an exersacuer? Sounds like she's ready for that, and it will become your best friend! You can put her in there, she can stand and play with the toys on it, and then everyone is happy!
My son was early for that stuff as well, so I put him in there at about 14 weeks, before he was tall enough to touch the ground (or sitting alone, or anthing). I actually just stuffed blankets or a book under his feet so that he could still stand up in those early stages.

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A.S.

answers from Chicago on

She might also be happy sitting in a high chair with toys on the tray.

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A.P.

answers from Eugene on

This sounds like my son--he wasn't happy unless you were holding him standing so he could jump on your lap--my arms would burn from his constant need to jump, jump, jump. We got a johnny-jump-up that goes in the door frame and he LOVED it. We would flip a laundry basket upside down and put some toys on it in front of him and he was as happy as a clam. And, the more mobile he's become the happier he's become as well.

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J.V.

answers from Chicago on

I switched my guy to an exerciser at 4 months. Swing went away, as did the bouncy seat. Time for floor gym and exerciser.

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A.W.

answers from Chicago on

Have you tried an exersaucer or stationary jumper? Many 4-month-olds do well in them even though they are unable to sit up independently. I put both of my kiddos in them at around 4 months of age and they loved it! You can find some good ones for $60-70 at Babies 'R Us or Target. Good luck and enjoy your little one!

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S.D.

answers from Chicago on

Put her in a walker. When my babies were 2 months, I would prop them in a walker, and allow them to watch me washing bottles, clothes, etc. It helped me tremendously.
Cushion her body, and let her see the world from another angle. She will love the dangling of her feet, plus it will start her on her walking journey, which is something I'm sure you're looking forward to. My kids were all walking no later than 8 months old….Try it. Hope this works for you.

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L.E.

answers from Chicago on

So glad you asked this..I have already read the answers for my daughter. She is 3months and only wants to stand! I use the boppy pillow to help her sit upright but now standing is all she wants to do. She just mastered rolling from belly to back as well. Perfect timing to read the suggestions other mothers gave to you! Thanks moms!!

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N.P.

answers from Chicago on

my daughter was sitting up by that time, so it can be done, keep sitting her and she will get it pretty soon.

In the meantime, try an exersaucer or jumperoo. Both of those will entertain her just fine

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A.E.

answers from Chicago on

I'd suggest an exersaucer which you can prop her up with a blanket behind her if she can't sit up well or stand and brace her feet. I started both of my kids at 4 months in it and within just weeks they were able to stay 10-15 minutes and started banging away at the toys on it.

It was a great spot to have them while I was preparing food in the kitchen or even setting it outside the shower when needed.

AE

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