15 month old DS cries when I speak or give attention to other babies. What to do?

[cheekychopsmum]

My DS gets distraught when either myself or DP holds or are close by to another baby. We have friends who have recently had babies and when we have held the baby he has screamed and gets really upset. Also if I have been bent down talking to another child (2yrs) he has reacted the same and tried to smack me in the face.

At the weekend we were out with a group of friends and their children all of a similar age and it was only my LO that reacted in this way. The other children weren't bothered if someone else was sat on their parents knee.

What has really bothered me was my DS tapped a 6month old on the head, just because I chatted with him. Now I am frightened to leave him alone in the room without me being there (childs parent is there). He knows he isn't supposed to smack because he looks very coy after he has done it and I have told him it is naughty. I just don't know how to deal with the jealousy and the smacking. Any advice?

I'd be tempted to ignore the jealousy and carry on doing whatever you were doing when he kicks off. If he gets aggressive with you tackle that seperately.

It may work (but I can see why you might be nervous if he's already aimed at another child) to share the talking to the other baby/child with him" Lets go and say hello to so and so" - Not asking permission but showing him he doesn't have to lose out.

Good luck!

My dd used to be just like this. She is now just 2yo and still sometimes gets a bit funny if I'm giving another child allot more attention than her. If I include her she is fine, it's getting better and she's growing out of it.

I think she thought I belonged to her and didn't want anyone else (even my dh sometimes to touch me).

My only advice is to ignore the tantrum if he has one but try to involve him before it gets to that point.

Good point Tattifer about sharing me. He is really in to sharing at the moment, or rather me congratulating him when he shares his toys, so maybe I try expaining it to him like that. He's sharing me... He might like that!

cheeky hope it helps. a small point to add in to the mix )it works with horses and dogs... and kids) don't see the problem in advance and don't get het up with him - he'll never be calm if you're not.