Omg is it possible to have a bad tempered 9 mo old?

[BeachBunni]

It's constant high pitched whining, even when eating. He throws hissy fits all the time - goes red faced, shrieks, balls up his fists bringing them up to his head and slamming them on the ground. Even changing his nappy he works himself up so sometimes he can hardly catch a breath. I was hoping it was teething as he has no teeth yet but he's showing no signs that it's his gums bothering him.

He's always been a bit grumpy as he gets bored easily but I thought when he started to crawl it would get better. I just tell him a firm no when he gets on but don't know what else to do.

I feel like a terrible mum as the only part of the day I look forward to is when he's asleep, like he is atm. Or bath time when he's all giggles and smiles. My dp works 6 days a week and I'm feeling really worn down and exhausted by it all. Can't help but feel that the chickens are coming home to roost as I know I was a dificult baby.

Ahhhhhh. Someone tell me it gets easier. That it's just a stage!! Is there anything else I can do???

[3andnomore]

it will become easier...

my ys was hard work as a Baby, constantly screaming and just overly sensitive and not happy at all for 90% of the day...and it did drive me demented....he now is a lovely 4 year old and was the easiest of my 3 children...who were nightmares in the toddlerstage...so, I suppose it swings in roundabouts
He is still quite a sensitive little boy, buut that is just his nature, I suppose!

However, could thre be any underlying problems that have not been discovered yet? Seek advice form HV or GP maybe?

[bubblagirl]

it gets easier thisa ge is a frustrating age as they want to do so much more than they can

cant really say no to stropping baby as its part of there communication to let you know all is not well

ignore it and stay relaxed blow bubbles anything to distract from frustration

if stressing at meal time could he have had enough and his way of saying so is it the sitting restricted just use calm voice eat foor name lots of well dones and good boys and if starts stressing and appears to habe eaten enough remove

do lots of creative play together bowl of water with cuips saucepan and spoon musical toys

sounds very frustrated ds was like this until up on feet was in a walker from 5 mths and was bliss as tantrums stopped

just lots of distraction and ignore and just create fun things to do there attention is short lived on things so make things up do messy play put in bath with water toys etc even in day

leave to play alone for 5 mins and go take a breather it gets easier it could still be teeth even if no obvious sign so maybe try a bit of bonjela his at the age more than one could be trying to surface moving under gums

[bubblagirl]

sorry for typo ds climbing all over me lol

[BeachBunni]

Oh thank you 3. There maybe light at the end of the tunnel then.

He's always been a bit difficult - had colic at the start but was great for a couple of months and is now going downhill again. I know I had a temper as a child so I suppose I'm worried he'll take after me and not his placid dad

He's still under the care of the hospital pead as he was born early and low birthweight and I think we have another follow-up next month so I'll mention to her then.

[BeachBunni]

I know bubblagirl. The no's don't really cut it. When he's stropping he pays no attention, if he's doing something he shouldn't (like going for sockets) he gives me a smile that says 'yeah, right' and tries to do it again.

He's never likes being restricted. Hated being swaddled. So that may be his problem at meal times.

Good ideas though. I think I may just have a frustrated, independant baby on my hands.

[bubblagirl]

my ds was just the same but is 3.3 now and calm and placid and still very independant once there up and about it seems to help so much

[meandmyjoe]

Oh my ds was just like this. Hated any restrictions including being in the carseat, high chair. He was always in my arms being walked around (never wanted to be still) or kicking around on the floor for very short stints! He got slightly better when crawling and loads better this last months since he's been walking. He's 12 months now and still knows how to throw a pretty good trantrum. He still seems to get angry and shriek loudly for no reason. He still gets stroppy but will now sit on my lap for half an hour sometimes and loves just pottewring round the house now he can walk. How is your ds in his pushchair? Mine was awful but if yours is OK then try and get out a lot, a change of scenery might do you both good. And yes, it does get easier, eventually!

[SheSellsSeashellsByTheSeashore]

my dd started with her temper at about that age. atm her thing is headbutting when she doesnt get her own way.

she also hates being restricted and has learned how to get out of everything which makes paying for shopping difficult because by the time you have paid and bagged everything up she halfway across the other end of the supermarket having escaped her buggy. when you go to strap her back in she goes all stiff and wails like a banshee for at least 15 mins.

[skidaddle]

hi beachbunni - do you remember me from the December antenatal thread?
Have no advice for you really but lots of sympathy and reassurance that almost every parent's favourite part of parenting is when they are asleep! They also say difficult babies are easy toddlers and vice versa so let's hope there's some truth in it for your DS at least

[SummatAnNowt]

Distraction is best at that age, try to make what he doesn't like into something more enjoyable.

Also explain things, I know it sounds ridiculous but I always explained what was going to happen next and if he made a big deal of it I told him I understood he felt angry or frustrated but x were the reasons why it was the case but afterwards things would be better.

Helped keep me calm and I guess just hearing a calm voice or something helped ds.

[BeachBunni]

Phew - I feel better now that I know I'm not alone in this. Had a talk with my mum and she said all three of us were like that until we learnt to walk.

meandmyjoe - he's actually great once he's moving in his pushchair. Hates getting strapped in but once we're off he's fine until you stop. Likes constant stimulation I think.

Skidadle - yes, of course I remember you from the December thread. Dropped out of it when he came in October, although he's still classed from his due date so prob doing all the same things you lo's are. What did you have? How are you getting on??

[edam]

Yes, I've met some, they just don't like being that age and unable to do whatever it is they want to do. Fortunately all the ones I've known have really cheered up once they've reached the next stage.

[pinkmunkee]

My DS has been through stages like this- the only thing that really works for me is to just take him outside, we sit in the local park or crawl around the library. Other people being around helps as does the fresh air/ birds etc. And he gets tired and sleeps longer