Temper tantrum in 8 month baby - or something else?

[oxocube]

My d.s. is 8 months old and for the last few days, he has been having what I can only describe as a 'mini-tantrum' several times a day. He will sit on the floor and just scream - no tears- just screeching over and over! I have checked all the usual things: he is not sick, not hungry (often just been fed), had recent b/f, has lots of toys & me and other kids to play with and had usual naps! When I pick him up the screaming stops and the little monkey starts to laugh!

Has any one else had this experience with their little treasures? My two older kids weren't screamers, although they are certainly making up for lost time now! D.s. has just started to crawl in the last few weeks and is pulling himself up to stand now. Could it be frustration at not being able to move as quickly as he would like? Or do babies this young go through 'testing' periods, to see how far they can go? Think I will invest in earplugs as the noise is deafening!!

Any advice?

oxocube - no advice but I have to say I could've written your post myself! DD is 7 1/2 months, and every now & then she has a mega strop for no apparent reason, screaming at the top of her voice & kicking her legs/flapping arms quite violently, then when I try to comfort her she will start laughing!

A few times it's been in the bath, when she's happily chewing a boat and she drops it - like she's so frustrated & angry to not be able to hold things as well as she'd like. I thought it was a bit young to be having tantrums, but it seems the only explanation (not hungry/tired/full nappy/bored/in pain).

Hope some of you with older babes can shed some light!

All I can say is TOTALLY NORMAL and isn't it amazing how they can manipulate us at such a young age. I have noticed mini-tantrums of this sort as my son reached various phases in his development (ie when he started crawling, walking, talking, teething, etc.). I think it's frustration at not being able to do or say things that he's not quite ready for. The tantrums don't last more than a minute or so, so I don't worry about them too much. My son is normally very good natured and easily distracted so I just let him shout it out or move him to a new activity. Lately I've been mimicking his tantrum (ie screeching back at him). He looks at me in amazement and stops immediately. Sometimes he even laughs at me when I do this. I think it's so funny his realization of what he sounds like when yelling, that it's now my preferred method of dealing with the tantrums.

Hi Oxocube. Yep, my dd had mini temper tantrums at about 6 or 7 months I think, thankfully it only lasted a few days. She would create hell when I got her out of the bath, so much so that I thought there was something seriously wrong with her the first time she did it. Definitely think the little monkeys test to see what they can get away with.

My ds goes through phases of this, so far they have been just before he began to crawl and just before he began to stand/cruise so I took them as frustration cries. He also finds it really funny if I imitate him, and giggles.

My DD just 9½ months has started to have "mini-tantrums" too. She's normally a very sweet natured girl, but has discovered that mummy can get quite concerned if she starts to scream and cry. She's particularly good at the crying if I say "No". Still I normally squeal back - and it all ends in laughter - just hope it continues that way :-)

Hi Oxocube

My dd is 11mths old, started walking at 8 1/2 mths,
since then he screams when i leave the room Laughs when i pick him up, i am told that this is called separation deprivation (they can not stand to be seperated from you), so therefore make the loudest noise they possibly can to play with your heart strings. (Believe me it's working).

He to throws himself on the floor when he is told no and tries to pinch my face. I think maybe I'm saying "no" to many times. I was told that using the word STOP is more effective, it's not working
Tantrums are worse since starting Nursery.