Falling back for attention?

[sukiking]

DS is 14 months and going through a funny spell. He's getting very irritable and falling back a lot (from a sitting position - he's still not walking... or talking!!). Not sure whether he's doing it for attention or not. And so not sure whether to ignore it or not.

In fact, I'm always confused as to whether his 'tantrums' are attention seeking or a sign that he's genuinely in need of some reassurance. You see, he has a history of horrendous ear infections so I'm rarely confident that he's 100% well. Plus, the ear infections have, in the past, affected his balance.

But my gut feeling is that this is behavioural rather than health related. Going round in circles with it. Can anyone offer some words of wisdom?

Once you've made sure he isn't ill and it is behavioural then perhaps you can put some sort of plan into action.

My little girl is only 10 months and has a little attempt at a tantrum every now and then. I go down to her and say, in a very stern voice "NO, you don't behave like that" or something along those lines. Then I remove her from the situation and distract her with something positive and give her lots of praise for behaving better. All this can be very tiring but persistance is key.

With regards to him falling back from sitting, perhaps you could use a different approach here. Does he cry after he has done this? If so then go over, pick him up, give him cuddles and "kiss it better", then very quickly move onto something else like some play or something fun and distract him from it. Don't make a big fuss over it.

I hope this is helpful. Lets us know how you get on.

Has he just started doing this?

My DD went through a stage of enjoying the 'throwing herself backwards' stage for effect however she also has weak trunk muscles which affects her balance so it was partly physical. If DS has been sitting fine up until now then likely be behavioural or he's enjoying it and will just be a phase!

Thanks both of you. Realised he was doing it for attention because it would be when my back was just turned. Started ignoring it and now he's not doing it any more. Phew.

Oh good, so thankfully just a very short-lived phase