10 Month Old Whining

The poor little guy just doesn't have the words to ask yet, but I think he just wants help and attention. He also might be frustrated trying to learn how his body works and what it can do! At this age, just go with it and help him as much as you can. You might also look into baby sign language - I used it with my two and tried to teach them the sign for help when things like this came up. You can even take a class at places like Isis Maternity if you are really interested... anyway, I wouldn't ignore him at his age. He's still just a baby, so don't worry about giving in or anything like that, or spoiling him. In a few months he'll be trying to use words and things will get a little easier in the communication department!

HI D., just wanted to say, in the midst of everything else other people have told you, you know, babies can and do whine also. It probably is for the fustration levels that others mentioned already but it does happen.

I think one way to approach it is this - whining is tone. you not wanting to give in, means you don't like the tone of what you are being asked to do. I find that I have (always) reacted pretty strongly to the tone that my babies took with me. I HATED it when they screamed for milk like I was starving them or torturing them or something even at a very young age when I knew that they were just hungry.

My solution was this: to not give them milk (breastfeed) until they calmed down and took a different tone - this worked by reinforciing that I liked it when they took a cheerful more calm tone with me. I tried to remain positive and cheerful in my own tonal approach with them as we worked through this which in itself was difficult but in the end, I felt like it made a HUGE difference in our interactions. And I found like my babies found other ways to tell me they were hungry, and also they began to trust that I would feed them/come to them/or whatever they were screaming about.

so if your baby is whining on the floor about something, get down with them, give them attention, anything positive, loving, cuddling, touching, cheerful, sing-songy etc. but don't give them what they really want until they change their tone. Once they do that, give them what they really want right away. And comment directly how happy you are to see them change their tone "There's my sunshine boy!"

just a thought.

The other moms said it all. I understand your frustration and loss of patience. I suggest that you don't take the whining personally -- maybe read an article about child development, maybe joke about it. Think of kittens and puppies; they cry, grunt, squeal constantly but their mommas just keep on answering with love. You could try "acting as if" the whining didn't bother you, and you'll find yourself being happier when you are less aggravated at your son.

Today, many people are used to controlling what they want to hear by listening to music constantly. How does that work at home with a baby who communicates through sounds?

Some babies go straight to walking and skip crawling alltogether. Maybe your son is headed towards that direction. I bought my son a push shopping cart from Fisher Price when he was 10 months old because he gave me the signs that he wanted to walk. The first couple of days he was just playing with the toys and buttons, but after that he started pushing and walking with it until he didn't need it anymore. Now he's running and I can't slow him down.

I dont have advice, but i do remember my two kids whining and getting frustrated during different stages of development, i bought this great little baby walker which was like a padded zimmer frame, both my kids used it to bumble around pre-walking. I seemed to remember they were quite happy once they had this to get around with. Good luck, K..

D.,

He is 10 MONTHS OLD!!!! Pick him up, this is the time to cuddle and love and play. He is a baby for goodness sake. I would suggest that you buy a baby book on development stages.
He cannot not talk, whining is his way of telling you to have patience, help and nourish him. I feel bad for your baby.

D.

Sorry you thought I was overreacting and being judgmental to your post D.. I just never heard have a issue like this with a 10 month old. I said I feel bad for your baby because I was thinking maybe he just wanted you to pick him up instead of being taught a lesson at 10 months old. I do think you have been given a lot of good advice and I wish you only the best.

My 1 year old started bottom-scooting at about 11 months and still does it (quite well!). He is not crawling, but is moving around a ton and just started pulling up on furniture really well.
Mine was frustrated, too, but once he started moving on his own he was fine. I have in-laws who made me feel like he was developing slow, but I now know that everyone progresses at their own pace. He used to like being in a walker but is kind of bored with that now. Mine whines a lot too, especially after visits with lots of people...he gets used to a lot of attention from relatives and day care and when he's home with just my husband and I we can't do enough to keep him entertained!! So we let him fuss a little (a few minutes) and then give him something to distract him (snacks or a noisy toy) and then if that doesn't work we pick him up. Yes it's good to cuddle and love like other responders say, but there IS a point where you just get a little frazzled and hearing the same whining over and over can make you nuts!! I definitely feel your pain!!

I used a walker for my son and that used to help. Make sure he can't fall off the stairs or something like that. Also, I used to put some of his favorite toys just a little out of reach when it was belly time to encourage him to reach out and move. Be patient, he'll get there!

I'll never understand parent's thinking of "not wanting to give in". Your infant needs you...he's helpless...pick him up...give him attention...help him learn to crawl. he can't talk obviously...but the whining is his way of saying "Mommy help me"