Baby Tantrums
By Elizabeth Pantley, Author
of Gentle Baby Care
Learn about it
A baby’s first tantrum can
take you by surprise. Your baby can really shock you by shrieking, stamping,
hitting, or making his whole body go stiff. But don’t take it personally;
baby tantrums aren’t about anything you’ve done wrong, and they
aren’t really about temper, either – your baby isn’t old
enough for that. The ways you’ll respond to your baby’s behavior
when he is older are different than how you should respond now.
Why babies have tantrums
and what you can do about it
A baby tantrum is an abrupt
and sudden loss of emotional control. Various factors bring tantrums
on, and if you can identify the trigger, then you can help him calm
down ¾
and perhaps even avoid the tantrum in the first place. Here are the
common reasons and ways to solve the problem:
| Reason
for tantrum |
Possible
solution |
| Overtiredness |
Settle baby down to sleep;
Provide quiet activity |
| Hunger |
Give baby a snack or something
to drink |
| Frustration |
Help baby achieve his goal
or remove the frustration; Use distraction |
| Fear/anxiety |
Hold and cuddle baby; Remove
baby from difficult situation |
| Inability
to communicate |
Try to figure out what he
wants; Calmly encourage him to show you |
| Resisting
change |
Allow a few minutes for baby
to make adjustment |
| Over stimulation |
Move baby to a quiet place |
How to prevent baby tantrums
Often, you can prevent a baby
from losing control of his emotions if you prevent the situations that
lead up to this. Here are some things to keep in mind:
- When baby is tired,
put him down for a nap or to sleep.
- Feed your baby frequently.
Babies have small tummies and need regular nourishment.
- Give your baby toys
that are geared to his age and ability level.
- Warn your baby before
changing activities (“One more swing, then we’re going home”).
- Be patient when
putting your baby in an unfamiliar environment or when introducing him
to new people.
- Help your baby learn
new skills (such as climbing stairs or working puzzles).
- Keep your expectations
realistic; don’t expect more than your baby is capable of.
- As much as possible,
keep a regular and predictable schedule.
- When your baby is
overly emotional, keep yourself as calm as possible.
- Use a soothing tone
of voice and gentle touch to help your baby calm down. He can’t do
it on his own, he needs your help.
This article is an excerpt
from Gentle Baby Care by Elizabeth Pantley. (McGraw-Hill,
2003)
Website: www.pantley.com/elizabeth
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