9 month old throwing “tantrums”

[NewMum293]

My 9 month old daughter is a lovely, smiling, babbling baby. However, over the past month or so, if she’s not happy about something, she throw what I can only compare to a toddler tantrum - ie flails about, throws her head back and forth etc. She’s a big baby (91-98 percentile for both weight and height) so the movements are quite forceful. I’m worried she’s going to hurt herself - a couple of times she’s done it when being laid down to have her nappy changed and banged her head (I now always try and have a good hold of her head when I put her down, just in case). It’s normally when she’s hungry eg if she’s going up to bed, she knows a feed is coming so gets upset when I start to get her dressed for bed as she’s impatient for the feed) but it’s becoming more random eg she did it the other day when I took her out of the bath (which she’s normally fine with) and yesterday she managed to (accidentally) headbutt me in the mouth twice with her head thrashing.

Is it a bit early to be having “tantrums” or normal development? I feel it’s a bit early to be trying to “discipline” and normally try to sooth or distract at the moment.

Thanks in advance x

[Misha1998]

@NewMum293

Hi there! I am having the same thing start with my 9 month old now! She's started crawling 2 weeks ago and throws a tantrum if she can't have something she wants e. G. My laptop, pen, glass of water etc. And can't be consoled unless distracted which sometimes works but also feels like I'm not addressing the problem rather avoiding it. Now that your boy must be not far off 4 I hope you could give some insight back on what he was like and how you found the toddler years! Was he more tantrumy than normal? I think a strong will is good but I don't know how to handle toddler behaviour so I want to feel more prepared. Thank you in advance

[NewMum293]

Thank you all - glad to hear it’s normal. I’ll continue with my “distract and sooth” approach!

[Pebstk]

Yes definitely a wee tantrum but I do agree a wee baby under one is too young for any form of discipline that would used with older toddlers - as others have said I think it about trying to avoid as much as possible - more sleep etc, difficult situation. Sorry nothing else to advise but just wanted to reassure you there was nothing wrong

[Kle209]

Yes totally normal, though I was completely thrown by the tantrums starting so early! If it’s any consolation, my DS turns 2 next week and the tantrums are much fewer and further between!

[surreygirl1987]

It was certainly normal for my son (now 15 months old and the tantrums have escalated!). Really hoping he's getting the tantrum phase out of the way early. 🙄 He basically tantrums whenever hew not happy with something, and it's def worse when he's tired or hungry, so a strict routine helped and yes snacks too fend off hunger.

[NewMum293]

Thank you for replying and glad it’s normal.

Re bedtime, we’ve already brought it forward from 7pm to 6.15pm/6.30pm - I think any earlier would be a little too early. I’m not sure if it’s so much hunger as thinking she’s about to get fed and getting irritated when something else happens. I’m wondering if it’s better to get her ready for bed downstairs as she associates going into her bedroom with getting fed and gets impatient. I could also try a snack between dinner and bedtime I guess? I offered water yesterday but she wasn’t interested.

It’s definitely happening at other times unrelated to hunger/food now too though.

[JiltedJohnsJulie]

Sounds perfectly normal.

If she's getting like this when she's hungry, have you thought of starting the bedtime routine 30 minutes early? She may not be so tired and hungry then.