baby shows autistic symptoms because of me?

Mom, I'm feeling really distressed... I often find myself yelling at my baby (11 months old) without realizing it. If he accidentally spills something or does something frustrating, I tend to yell at him without thinking. I know this is wrong, but I don't know how to handle it on my own. I'm exhausted from cleaning the house and taking care of the baby. Lately, I've also been letting him watch TV a lot because I feel like I can't get anything done otherwise. But recently, I've noticed my baby acting strange... He rarely makes eye contact and seems afraid of me... he's the same with other people too. He cries more easily. His development seems to be slowing down. He doesn't talk as much (even though he used to babble "mamama" and "bababa"). Could this all be because of me? I've read that symptoms like these are related to autism... Am I the cause of my baby showing signs of autism? 😭😭😭😭

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There are studies of autism linked to screen time so ur worry is valid. Just because the millenials n gen z grew up with lots of tv it doesnt mean kids grew up fine. The whole lot of us are struggling as adults. Im guilty of shouting at my kid too and shes 15 months. But tracking back its my unresolved issues and how i was parented. Its hard to regulate as an adult when we never were taught or had a good role model. I usually step away when something that triggers me happens. Baby spills a cup or pours it out during meal time> i take a breath really deep and stop and think whats the worse> is it age appropriate (pouring and exploring is age appropriate development ya) > kid is small doesn't under consequences> im the exhausted parent losing my mind> tell my kid im feeling upset and i will walk away for a minute to drink water> kid is safe nearby within sight and i regulate my anger> go back and say i will clean up keep a straight face and not grumble Because chances are the child sees u reacting healthily and will follow what u do next, how u express ur anger and how u regulate ur emotions and words. Then give the opportunity to spill for fun! Put a large tub in the toilet and a bunch of cups and scoops and let the child play for half an hour. Really appropriate and fun and u get to sit and breathe abit haha. Bro im dying here i feel u!!! sahm no help no income cook three meals a day sleep five hours max, full breastfeeding still, trust me i have shouted i have smacked my babys hand its not good its not okay but out of ten a bad action happened maybe once! It gets better i swear. We will be better parents. The tv thing is universal honestly. I set up a whole living room of things to explore and play. Money is an issue, so i buy cheap plastic boxes and trays and fill up with like five different cheap toys and save bottlecaps for manipulative play, free play, put measuring cups for scooping, simple blocks. Not overwhelming amount of toys but just enough and rotate with different boxes every week. Pulled the tv away as of last month so only one hour tv per day of her fav show when i need to eat breakfast for example or deep fry something. Damn hard to reduce tv time but its for the long run aye? Dont beat urself up. So many things to do to make this better. If u can afford it go private get an assessment if its really obvious and worrying. if not go polyclinic ask for referral to kkh or nuh child dev and press ur concerns. Im literally a ten year bachelor degree educator who has raised tickets for students to seek help over the years, Yet my Paediatrician downplay my autism concern that i have been eyeing for the past six months. So be strong and go ahead do what ur instinct tells u. And work on being aware of urself and ur burnouts. I dont care about a messy house personally and i told my husband to shut up about it unless he cleans it up at 9pm everyday fold the clothes throw the buns scrub the sink kind. I vacuum daily so baby doesnt ingest dirt dust hair. I mop occasionally lol and wash toys every week. cook two main meals and one snack everyday and im POOPED!!!! Have to play and read more with baby plus three times a week outdoor time. So screw ironing. Do daily laundry and let ur baby follow u around and do together. Pass ur baby the pegs while u hang laundry, put snacks in cups and let baby play while u cook soup, vacuum and baby will follow the actions too! Life is so much simpler and calmer now i let my baby be part of routine and make it fun so i less stress also. U can do it okay it!!!!❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

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Hi there! First of all, I want to commend you for being such an attentive and caring parent. It’s great that you’re observing your baby’s behavior closely and seeking advice. It’s completely understandable to feel distressed about your baby’s development and your own reactions. Parenting is challenging, and it’s important to give yourself grace. Regarding your concerns about autism, it’s good to remember that every child develops at their own pace, and many behaviors can be typical for their age. However, if you’re noticing patterns that concern you, it might be helpful to discuss them with a pediatrician or a child development specialist. They can provide professional insights and guide you on whether further evaluation is needed. In the meantime, consider exploring resources on positive parenting techniques and ways to manage stress. Sometimes, small changes in how we respond can make a big difference for both the child and the parent. You’re doing a great job by seeking support and information. Hang in there, and remember that it’s okay to ask for help when you need it.

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Your baby is probably scared,but being scared doesn't lead to autism. It sounds like you need to get a break though. Do find someone to cover for you if possible., and go take a rest. We're mummies, we're not robots tt can work 24/7 nonstop. Hub, parents, in-laws, siblings etc all can chip in. Do voice out your need for support to your family.

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Try to calm down and don’t overthink. You need a professional to look into it. I believe most of us grew up watching lots of tv and we turned out fine. You sound burnt out, have someone to cover your parenting duties while you take some rest.

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