11 month old having temper fits - should I be worried?

[Ohnoredundo]

Our DS has always been willfull but now he's started acting out if we do anything that he's slightly not keen on - flinging his head back, screeching and now slapping out faces out the way, pulling hair and biting. Everything seems to upset him, even trying to engage in play with him sometimes. Is this normal behaviour or should we be worried?

I'd say it was normal. Dr Sears has some great advice on tantrums here.

Ds was like that and by 16m I had reached the end of my tether! I had our HV come over and talk it through, really helpful and within 6 weeks he was a different boy.

You have my sympathies, it is really tough.

What did your HV suggest Dedalus?

Well, she basically said it is very obviously frustration. He has a 4yr old sister so in his mind he was 4 too and got very aggressive when he wasn't allowed to do things (climb the stairs, allowed out of the stairgates etc) he would throw himself down and give himself almighty bruises. If you were holding him he would throw himself back so you got smacked in the face or would claw at you.

The HV said ignore, put him in a safe place to get over the tantrum. She said that by hurting himself he would guarantee some attention, so ignore.

The difference in him in 6 weeks was amazing.

Thank you so much for your advice :) I'm just worried he really dislikes me! Parenting is hard!

Of course he likes you :)

Speak to your HV, most of them are really good!