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He sounds like a 5 month-old to me. I don't necessarily think he is being "demanding." He likes being with you and he is telling you that. At the same time, I think it's ok to say "mommy is going to take a shower, I'll be right back" as long as he is with another capable adult. It's not "cry it out" if he is being soothed by another adult even if he is fussy. Other times, I'd pick him up and comfort him. He is still so little and needing mommy is a legitimate need.

Sounds like a 5 month old. He's not being demanding, he's communicating.

Have you read about the Wonder Weeks? Maybe he is in a big storm- aka leap of development. He actually sounds just like my 14 mo old- cranky and wanting to be held all the time! I think we're in a storm too.

Teething possibly? My babe had two teeth around 6 months and is always more fussy then.

But also, generally speaking if my baby is just being fussy (not scream crying or anything) I still do what I need to do and dont hold her all day. I was an EPer so I always had to pump even when she was fussy and took showers, made dinner, etc. I guess what i'm saying is...depending on your parenting style you dont have to hold them every time they want to be held.

Ugh, babies are the worst.

@sarac: lol!

He sounds like a normal baby to me. Maybe it's a wonder week or developmental period or whatever, but TBH I found babies to be demanding most of the time (or my baby at least)--my LO wasn't one to just contently sit and let me do my own thing. I can count on 1 hand the number of times I Was able to put him down and go shower--those only happen while he's sleeping!

Also, if he was much easier before 5 months, I'm going to go ahead and guess that it was mostly because he was basically still a newborn/in the 4th trimester for most of that time, and not because that was his personality. At 5 months he's more interested in the world around him so it makes sense that he wants more interaction now. He is DEFINITELY NOT manipulating you, and while of course there are times when you need to get something done and he will need to fuss for a bit, I Would not do CIO for something like him wanting comfort from you.

If your DH is half asleep when you put LO in bed with him, maybe LO would be happier if DH was awake and playing/interacting with him? Just a thought.

Bad naps are pretty standard at this age, but I can unequivocally say he's not manipulating you or being annoying on purpose. He's far far too little for that.

And, uh, my 3-year-old doesn't play by himself, really.

@ElbieKay: I think there might be a Wonder Week around 5 months. Wonder Weeks always made my LO extra fussy! Also, at some point, babies learn object permanence, where they begin to understand that even though Mommy isn't standing right there, she still exists. I had a baby who went berserk if left with Daddy so I understand your frustration. Sometimes you just need time to shower or just breathe! I wish, with hindsight being 20/20, that I had encouraged LO to be more comfortable with being left with Daddy. DH is still a far distant second and that isn't fun for anyone

I'm so jealz of your 5mos nighttime sleep - we still haven't recovered from 4 month sleep regression/2 colds/2 teeth/travelling from Australia to Canada. I would hold and cuddle my baby all day if he was sleeping 8-5. I mean, I still do hold and cuddle him all day cause he won't let me put him down. But you know what I mean.