Am I spoiling my daughter?

Question

My daughter is 5 months old. She doesn't like to sit in her bouncy seat anymore but can't sit up on her own. She will sit in her bumbo and exersaucer and jumperoo but won't stay there for more than 5 minutes at a time. She doesn't like to be down on the floor for long either. So most of the time I'm carrying her around with me or she sits on my lap. Everyone is telling me I"m spoiling her. What do you all think? How much is too much? and any ideas what she can do on her own to occupy herself?

Answer 1

I wouldn't say you are spoiling her. I was in your position a month ago (my daughter just turned 6 months old). She would only entertain herself for a very short period of time. I told myself that this was fine because she is a baby and needs my attention and I should appreciate it while it lasts. However, I wasn't getting much done around the house and barely had time to eat.

About 3 weeks ago I started putting her in her excersaucer while I would run around doing chores. She didn't mind it since she had me to watch. At first she would last 15 minutes now she can last up to 45 minutes. I also started playing on the floor with her more frequently. I would put a whole bunch of toys down on the ground. After about a week and a half of playing with her on the floor a good 2-4 times a day she is able to entertain herself down there for a good 25 minutes.

Like I said I don't really think you are spoiling her because I don't think you can spoil a baby. However, the baby definitely knows the cause and affect that's going on. She knows that is she fusses Mommy will just carry her around. I think it's a good thing for them to be able to play by themselves to build that sense of security even when the parents aren't right there.

Also, my daughter seems A LOT happier since she has become more "independent". She used to cry a couple times a day for different things. I haven't heard her cry in a good 2 weeks, she only fusses now (if she is tired or bored).

In the end you have to do what feels right for you. Try (and I do say TRY) not to listen to what everyone else says.

Good Luck!

Answer 2

No such thing as spoiling a baby - maybe she is going through a phase right now. Help her get through it. Nothing wrong with holding a baby! Babies don't last and stay this little forever - enjoy being able to hold her. All my girls are in High School now - I miss those days when they were babies sometimes.

Answer 3

You're not spoiling her.

People are crazy, they really are!  Just keep rotating her activities every 5-10 minutes, hold her when you can, you can let her fuss for a minute or two of you're in the middle of a project.

It's normal for kids this age to need to be rotated a lot and held a lot!

Been there, done that!

Answer 4

I don't think you can spoil a 5 month old really.  At this age they need nurturing and that's what you are doing.  

Answer 5

You can not spoil a child under 12 months.  So you can tell people this.  Your baby is ONLY 5 months old.... people who are saying that are just being foolish.  Its good for her to feel secure and close with her mother.  She is just a baby.  

Anyway..... this is not spoiling her by any means.  If she enjoys being with you and you don't mind..... I don't see the problem.  

But..... babies do need tons of floor time....to build muscles and development fundamental skills used in walking. So maybe you can try and engage with her on the floor.... start out by letting her lay on your tummy.... while you lay down.... and then transition her to being on just her tummy.    

Answer 6

Personally, I dont think your spoiling her, maybe because when I was that little I was treated like that too =P But in the end she's still only 5 months old... Babies need attention.

Though, picking her up so much will only make sleeping harder when she wants you to be there for her at all hours of the night.

If you want her to enjoy herself put her in a playpen with some stuffed animals and she might have fun with that. Get her a new toy and put it in the playpen so she's distracted by it, since she's never seen it before.

Watch her while she's playing on the floor that way she knows your around but you dont have to be carrying her.

My dad might have overdone it with carrying me for hours at a time when I was a baby, because I was the same way.

Lol Try not to stress over it, shes' still only 5 months old. If your friends have any advice for you it would be best to take some from them. =)

Good luck and Congratulations! =)

Answer 7

Although they say you can't spoil a child at this age, they are not stupid, and would rather you hold them. If you pick her up right when she cries, it will not take her long to associate crying with being held.

Assuming she is receiving a lot of attentions in the day, it is a good idea to try to get her use to being able to play for a bit on her own. Let her realize that she is good company to herself.

If you don't mind carrying her around all the time, than by all means, go for it.

If you do need a bit of a break, Prop her up with pillows, and give her a couple of toys to play with. IF she fusses, try moving her to another area, she may be bored of the scenery in that room.

The only problem of her getting use to be taxi'd by mom all the time, is she may become hard for another person to watch, and difficult for you to get much else done.

Best of Luck

Answer 8

At 5 months old, they know if you will hold them alot or not. What I would do is, when you put her in her Bumbo or saucer ect.. I would sit right beside her at first and entertain her. Once she starts to get bored of you then she will notice whats around her and start entertaining herself. I promise it does get better! Keep your head up and good luck! I love that age!  

Answer 9

Not at all.

You are doing right by your daughter, giving her all the love and attention she craves. Hold her, get down on the floor and play with her, let her sit in your lap...this stage goes by so fast and soon she will be a crawling 8 month old who wants nothing to do with you. Don't listen to anyone that tells you that you are spoiling her. You are teaching her that you will protect her and care for her. She will crave independence in her own time.

Good job, Mom.  

Answer 10

Actually, you can't spoil them until around 6 months...it's good for their later development if you do what they want until then