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Coping with teething toddler who only wants Mum but keeps hitting me :(

3 replies

artifarti · 25/04/2010 13:38

DS is 20 months old and has always been the teether from hell, with every single tooth. He is currently on the canines and they are obviously giving him a lot of grief. We are giving him pain relief when it seems very bad and trying to give him food he can cope with. The problem is that he only wants me all the time and follows me constantly saying ?cuddle mummy?, which is understandable, but when I pick him up, half the time he smacks me in the face or claws me. Usually when he does this (which isn?t very often) I just put him down and ignore him but if I do that now he goes into total meltdown. Yesterday afternoon, he turned into some kind of wildcat and at one point was just launching himself at me and screaming.

I know it?s just a phase but I?m finding it really hard and upsetting. Obviously he?s in pain and I want to comfort him but I am already sporting a scratch down one cheek and a scab on my lip. Help, has anyone else had this?

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Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
Ivykaty44 · 25/04/2010 22:25

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berri · 28/04/2010 16:15

I've only just seen this and realised you haven't had a reply - my DS sounds like the twin of yours

Story of the day - he broke my nose a few months ago by hitting me in the face with a plastic car!!!

He is 17 mo now and hits or scratches me constantly, especially when he's in pain (such as teething) or tired.

I really sympathise with you - it's very upsetting isn't it and I often find myself shouting at him as it's a shock and bloody hurts, then I phone my husband in tears as I feel guilty and helpless!

It's even worse when it happens while we're out...

Anyway I've just been doing the same as you - putting him quickly down on the floor, holding his arms down firmly and getting down as close to his face as possible to try to meet his eyes while saying No Hitting a few times. To be honest though it's not working so if anyone has any other tips I'd welcome them! He just smirks back like he's thinking it's funny.

I'm hoping it'll wear off - he knows it upsets me and I guess he just does it out of frustration, so fingers crossed once he starts talking and telling me what's wrong, he'll stop doing it.

Keep me up to date with how you're getting on - looks like I've got another few months of it to come

artifarti · 15/05/2010 10:26

Thanks Berri - sorry, I've only just realised that I got a reply! Well, after the teeth broke through he settled down again and has been relatively okay, apart from when he gets over-excited. However, now the next two canines are on the way, so I fully expect return of the hellcat!

Your DS sounds so like mine! I do exactly the same as you but now he's getting better at talking, he will actively go and do something he shouldn't (hitting the cat is a favourite) and then turn to me and say 'Mummy says No!' and then laugh! Luckily most of the time he's lovely.

Good luck!

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