Is this normal?

[purpleflower]

My 13 month DS is throwing tantrums like you wouldn't believe. I've been ignoring it but it can last for 1/2 hour if not more. It starts over silly little things like me telling him no. He won't stop untill I pick him up and walk around with him. I can't take him out, we went to my friends yesterday and he had one. It was so embarasing, she was shocked by it.

Please help I don't know what to do.

yes it is normal!

at 13 months they are starting to push boundaries and see what happens

ignoring it is the right thing to do

don't be embarrassed, and don't stay at home either - all children do this

He is 13 months why not just pick him up and walk round with him if that stops it?

Distraction for this age I think. He is still very very young.

I thought that I had to ignore it or I would make it worse later on. It's worse when he can't get his own way for eg when I say no, so is picking him up not rewarding his tantrum because i'm giving him something he wants.

There's no one for me to really ask about this so thank you both for your replys. It's nice to know he is normal!

Babies change so much in the first two years and I think they are a lot older before they really understand why they can't have something. He is probably desperately upset that he can't have whatever it is so by picking himup you are comforting him and reassuring him. Not a bad thing really.

Totally agree with ProjectTartan. 13 months is too young for naughty, he's just starting to have really strong emotions and he needs reassurance while he works out what to do with them.

Oh and no hurts whatever age you are. The difference is adults and older children have some perspective on the issue, which is missing for a baby of 13 months - he's living in the moment and totally absorbed in it. Cuddle that tantrumming boy and don't be scared.

Yes it's perfectly normal for that age. My eldest had lots of nasty frustration tantrums from bit before one year. My other one is a more chilled out person and waited until nearer two to start tantrums. Going straight into typical foot stamping NO NO NO ones.

I agree with not thinking of his behaviour as naughty. I think dealing with tantrums and frustration at such a young age is a little different from how you'd react to say a 2 or 3 year old.

I used to ignore the actual tantrum but not the child, if that makes sense! Say in the supermarket if he was kicking off I'd just carry on talking to him and pushing him round. If he wanted something and I'd said no, then I'd happily pick him up chatting and move on with what we were doing. It's tough but try to remain calm and unflustered. Even if you don't feel like it, try to put up a front. In that respect it's like dealing with an older toddler tantrum, worst thing to do is consistently react to them.

The positive side of them starting early is by the time all my friends toddlers started months later I was almost zen like about dealing with them Please don't feel embarrased or stay in If your friends babies aren't doing this yet, it won't be long!

Another thought is tiredness and hunger are not good when combined with a tantrum prone baby. 13 months and they could recently have dropped a nap or just be tireder from being more active, mentally and physically. My youngest is very good at carrying on when tired or in need of lunch. He takes life at an even pace. My eldest has always melted down when tired and he needs regular feeding or the same happens. He tends to approach life full on, then crash.