10 Month Old Nephew Never Stops Crying

Join Us On Facebook! | CONTACT | BABY BLOG | HOME |

10 Month Old Nephew Never Stops Crying

by Rachel
(U.S.)

I have a 10 month old nephew, who NEVER stops screaming and crying, no matter what. I'm talking ALL the time.

He is very large for his age, almost as tall as my 2 year old, and his parents have been feeding him full on people food for a few months now. His dad brought him over the other day and said he shouldn't be hungry because he just ate a cheeseburger. Sometimes I feel as if maybe his stomach is messed up from all of it.

He also does NOT play with any toys. I have a huge amount of toys (I have a 2 year old myself), and I have tried to sit with him and play with all sorts of different stuff, but he never does. He has been at my house regularly and I have never seen him play with a single thing. His parents say he is just a crybaby and needs to learn to man up, this bothers me ALOT.

He is contented most of the time when he's held, but not always. I just don't feel like the crying all day without stopping is normal, nor is the fact that he does not play with ANY toys, nothing at all catches his interest, not toys, music, tv, us trying to talk and play with him while sitting next to him. Any ideas?

Find answers and comments below.

Find more Crying Baby Q&As and other Baby Tips here:

Comments for
10 Month Old Nephew Never Stops Crying

Click here to add your own comments

Nov 28, 2009

Nephew crying - 10 months
by: Baby Help Line - Annie

Hi Rachel,

It is really tricky when you are concerned about a child that is not your own. You really don't have any control over how he is being raised. I have to say I agree with you, I would expect a 10 month old to be playing with lots of toys - or at least with interaction with an adult. And calling him a crybaby is really not the answer. A baby cries for a reason.

His diet may well be causing him discomfort - a ten month old can have adult food, but not if that adult food is junk food. A taste of a cheese burger occasionally maybe, but not a whole one! Veges, meat, fish, fruit, cereals, yogurts are great for a hungry baby, but his main calories should still be coming from milk at this age.

He shouldn't be crying all the time and I too wonder if he is uncomfortable. Maybe he is fed all the time whenever he cries. You didn't say if he was over weight as well - he is obviously a big child if he is as tall as a two year old and will need lots of good healthy food. But I suspect he may not be getting the right kind of food. He could even have allergies.

I don't know how much you can talk to the parents, but I would find out if they are getting regular checkups for him, and if they have talked to a Pediatrician. Are they readers - would they read a baby care book? Good idea for a Christmas present!

You are in a tricky situation, you want to be able to support them but not get them offside or have them feel you are being intrusive. The bottom line is, he is their child and they have to decide the best way to raise him. You can only show them a good example and offer advice gently.

Good luck!

Annie Desantis

Aug 22, 2011

Separation anxiety?
by: Paula

Could it be that this little guy is suffering from severe separation anxiety? This is quite common at the age of 10 months (Read about 10 month development milestones here.)

If he is, then putting him down and expecting him to play will not work. Holding him, and holding him, and holding him will eventually make him feel safer and ready for new adventures. Carrying around a big 10 months old is of course very heavy in the long run, so a tip to his parents is to either sit with him in the lap a lot (even while eating if necessary) and let him sleep in their bed if he is sad at night. There are also hip carrier that one can buy, to save ones back if carrying around a heavy child a lot.

Bottom line is, anyway, that a 10-month old cries for a reason. Figuring out what it is and mitigating the problem is what helps; not just thinking that he is a crybaby that shouldn't be spoiled. You can't spoil a baby by carrying him around. The more he is carried the faster the separation anxiety will disappear.

Warm wishes,

Paula

Click here to add your own comments

Would other parents find this valuable? Share it!

Where would you like to go next?

Find more Baby Questions Answered Here...

What baby info are you looking for?

Return to Easy Baby Life Home

Join EBL Community!

New Community Members get a FREE Baby Safety Checklist right now.
Don't miss out. Join here!

Want more baby tips?

baby care newsletter Never miss a single baby tip! Get the latest news and tips for your pregnancy and baby with our monthly newsletter.
FREE Baby Care Ezine

Your Email

Your Name

Then

Don't worry -- your e-mail address is totally secure.

For more information about the ezine, click here.