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My 6 month year old and his temper tantrums - please help!!!

6 replies

Alisonlouise · 18/10/2007 22:33

My 6 month year old has the most terrible temper and I'm not sure how to deal with it. He often holds his breath when he's in a rage and also passed out once at around 4 months old! He has been a very angry baby from birth with the loudest cry I've ever heard - I get funny looks from strangers sometimes and it's quite embarrassing! He had colic and has got reflux (which I treat with Gaviscon now which helps) so I think he was used to constant attention for the first 3 months and I guess he's spoilt being my first, holding him all the time, etc which I'm now finding difficult to stop. He will never go to sleep unless he's in my arms, apart from occassionally at night when he finally goes to bed around 9pm and in his carseat and buggy. He hardly sleeps at all during the day, never has, and he fights it so much even when he's so obviously tired! He's always been a very active baby and is crawling at the moment, he also seems to be quite advanced for his age, and this may sound stupid but I wonder if he gets frustrated with things sometimes or maybe he's just overtired! Sorry for this being so long, sounds like it's more than one issue, I'm just at the end of my tether now, especially as my husband is working away and we're home alone! Holding him doesn't always help either but other times it does so there's obviously nothing wrong with him. I want to start putting him down for naps so he can learn to get himself to sleep but he tends to really pull and scratch at his face and I can't bear the thought of it but I've got to start before it's too late. Just need to try and stop the temper tantrums but maybe it's just in his personality!

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mummymagic · 18/10/2007 22:41

try searching for 'fussy baby' and dr sears.
he has a whole book about the concept.
some (very american) ideas and reassurance on his website here
www.askdrsears.com/html/5/T051200.asp

IMO no such thing as too many cuddles and that

FrightOwl · 18/10/2007 22:51

much sympathy. my dd has had some terrible tantrums..cried from birth almost non stop no matter what i did.

she hit, kicked and pinched me so much in a tantrum when she was two that i had an arm covered in cuts and bruises.

she is nearly four and a different child now. i wish i knew what changed but somehow it did.

all is not lost

sorry i have no better advice.

DaDaDa · 18/10/2007 22:56

It might well just be his character. Our DS has been feisty since birth; he started to calm down as he became more mobile and is now 'sunshine and showers' (on bad days Jekyll and Hyde' ). Does your DS seem any calmer since starting to crawl? Developmental stages are always likely to be difficult at first.

It does sound like he may well be overtired though if he's not napping during the day. Try blackout blinds. It'll take a while as, sorry, 6 months is slightly late to start if you do want to introduce a routine.

Alisonlouise · 20/10/2007 21:59

He doesn't seem any calmer since he started crawling - he just rocks on all fours screaming the place down with tears running down his face He's kind of got a routine, that's not what I'm worried about really, he just won't go down for naps in the day by himself.

Just feel like I've failed somehow with the napping thing but he's had a temper from birth so I can't do much about that, just don't know how to stop it. The thing is he's golden child when he's around family and friends, etc, makes us out to be liars!!!

OP posts:
NineUnlikelyTales · 20/10/2007 22:04

Aw, DS won't go to sleep except in my arms at 13m and I don't think it makes you or me 'failures' or our DC. Different babies have different personalities. I have always found with my DS that I just have to go with what his needs are and not try and make him into something he's not ready to be - if that means carrying him about for 8m then so be it, as I found it easier than dealing with the crying! It does get better though. DS hardly ever wants to be held or carried now and is a confident little chap - totally different to the way he was a few months ago.

Definitely give Dr Sears Fussy Baby a go.

spottyshoes · 20/10/2007 22:08

My 6mth old sounds so similar - screamed himself hoarse if you put him down for a while. He is still fed to sleep morning noon and night! He has an excellent routine but just can't settle himslef and sometimes has such a bad temper! Again, like you, I am made to look a complete liar as he is an angel when anyone else is around - Usually DH when he comes home from work and I look frazzled but Ds is all angelic and smiles

I have been told that apparantly they just grow out of it so am hanging on to that small shred of hope

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