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Behaviour/development

11 month old behaviour help!

6 replies

libertyboy · 07/04/2017 23:00

My little boy (just shy of 11 months) is throwing tantrums already. He's extremely active, big for his age and strong. He throws himself about and let's out a horrible throaty scream. 
He keeps me busy but otherwise an absolute joy until...something doesn't go his way. Typically nappy changes, being put in the playpen, having something taken from him or me leaving the room (or playpen) are triggers. All things that are unavoidable.
I do tell him no but a few times now when I have he's pulled a face and started grabbing at my skin. He's done this to my mum too. 
He's so young so I'm at a bit of a loss as how to deal with this behaviour.
I went back to work part time a month ago and he has become quite clingy too so maybe there's a connection? 
I feel bad just writing this about my darling boy but I really want to nip it in the bud. 
Any suggestion would be well appreciated! 

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TheBakeryQueen · 08/04/2017 08:06

I don't think there is a lot you can do at that age other than ignore the tantrum and distract. He is just too little to have any control over his emotions isn't he? You could say 'gentle hands' and show him how to touch your face gently maybe.

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JiltedJohnsJulie · 08/04/2017 11:08

Agree with TheBakeryQueen. It does sound like he's having some separation anxiety. When you leave the room, can you not just take him with you?

There is some good information on separation anxiety on Ask Dr Sears. HTH.

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isthistoonosy · 08/04/2017 11:12

One of mine started 'tantrumming' at six months over things not going his way. I did my best to avoid triggers (tired, hungry, alone etc) and distracted by making him laugh, as much as i could at other times. It all really calmed down around 14 months, not sure why.

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TeaBelle · 08/04/2017 11:17

Distract/ deviate towards desired behaviour at this age. From 18 months ish we started working towards natural consequences

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AssassinatedBeauty · 08/04/2017 11:19

It's absolutely not bad behaviour or tantrumming. He just is too young for that. It sounds like separation anxiety, and for me the best way of dealing with that is to minimise the separation and comfort him as much as possible. Try distraction for things like nappy changes. If you need to take something from him, offer him something else that is exciting for him and make a big deal of it. If he grabs your face I'd do the "gentle" thing instead of saying "no". It won't seem to make any difference for a while but in the long term they get the idea.

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libertyboy · 08/04/2017 16:56

Thanks for your responses, I do try and keep him with me as much as possible. I baby wear him on my back round the house and when cooking but he's 24lbs of chunk so I do need to put him down sometimes!

I don't think it's bad behaviour, tantrums at any age aren't bad behaviour they're just part of development but with one so young I'm stumped at how to approach it as like you've said saying 'no' isn't ideal.
Today I picked him up and he threw himself backwards and hit his head on the door and that's with me holding him.
Gentle hands is a great idea I'll definitely try that and keep on reassuring him.
We've been in the park all day and he decided to start walking so maybe this new found skill will distract him a bit!
Thanks again 😀

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