When do tantrums start?

DD has started to..... how shall I say...... protest(?) somewhat to things that she seems to dislike.

Screaming (not her hungry or tired cry - I KNOW these ones), arching her back, kicking her legs, digging her heels into the ground etc.

Is she too young for tantrums? How do I handle them at this young age if that is what they are?

For example. I know when she is overtired. So we are lying down feeding to sleep, she starts screaming at me and arching backwards. I have been talking really gently to her and holding onto her firmly - she does settle down when I do this. Is this the right thing? Or should I let her thrash around for a bit?

Pfttt, I had no idea I'd be asking this question so early on. :o :o

DS does that when he's tired. Usually I just offer some comfort, but occasionally the thrashing around has to happen in order for him to calm own enough to fall asleep. I know, for example, that him thrashing around in the Ergo means he's about 3 minutes away from passing out - but he doesn't particularly like falling asleep in the Ergo anymore, so protests a bit before giving up :lol:

As for tantrums...:dunno: I'm sure my mother thinks I started having them really early :lol:

Thanks mate. We're really worried that we're "creating a monster" (DH's words, not mine). I KNOW that she is tired. But this screaming and arching etc is a really new thing.

My girls started doing that at about the same age and had full blown tanties starting from 11m. However both grew out of them earlier than other kids too so it will pass!

My LO definitely has tanties. The car seat is one battle at the moment. Hope its true that she will grow out of them early!

DS started tantying at about 18 months but the DDs have been tantying since 12 months. DD1 is the worst she will work herself up until shes nearly vomitting *sigh*

Hmmm yeah, DS2 has what I would call 'tanties' when he's not happy about something. He really lets rip, and is very good at protesting. However, this is nothing compared to the full-blown tantrums of a 2 or 3 year old, so I can't quite bring myself to think that he's actually throwing 'tantrums' yet LOL.

Potato, potahto, if it feels like a tantrum, it probably is. They vary in degrees as time goes on ;)

About 6am... about 5 minutes after she gets up.
Why? Did you hear her screaming? Sorry if she woke you up! She woke me up too! :wall:


LOL sorry, couldn't resist!


Jazz used to do that a lot when she was tired, but wouldn't sleep. Protesting sleep UGH, I've never understood it myself, I mean, if you're that tired then just sleep! It makes you feel better!

DD has been doing it for the last 4ish months so from 10 months ... that it was noticable and a tanty.
Her latest trick is a high pitched squeal in protest, man talk about giving Mariah a run for her money!!

oh the dreaded tantrums hey!! I think often they do start earlier than we expect. One day we have little babies and the next we have tantrum throwing monsters!!

My DD started hers early, to be honest I can't really say exactly when as from day 1 she has always been excellent and letting me know she is not happy about something and it has gradually just progressed from that! But we have been having major tantrums for many many months. I think it was around my 9 month check up that I aksed my CHN what I could do during the tantrums and she said just to try and distract her and try not to let it stress me out too much because it will pass. At that age there is so much going on for them in terms of their development - their poor little brains must be working overtime to process all of the information and they are also learning to assert their independence and their feelings so its no wonder they have tantrums!

I hope things settle down for you soon hun

Fi x

DDs full blown tanties (ie on the floor kicking and punching, :lol: ) started a month or so ago, around 14-15 months. I thought they came at two but apparently not. Maybe they just get worse. Argh!!!!!!!

ETA Protesting started a lot earlier but I can't remember when! The car seat and pram were the first major rejections on her list but she quickly learnt fighting them was a losing battle. Food, on the other hand is a different matter especially as she just clamps her mouth shut and shakes her head ('no, no, no') when she doesn't want to eat :wall:

DS1 never really threw many tantrums until later on (closer to 3) DS2 started them at about 9 months, full blown roll around on the floor tantrum, once he could stand it turned to stomping ones. He throws some real doozies now! :lol:

Yep, DS has little tantrums already too! Mainly when someone takes something from him that he wanted! I have always found distraction the best method at this age through till they have the ability to reason a bit more. Don't worry, you aren't creating a monster!

Who cares when they start - when do they stop!

Miss 3 has been tantrumming in style for an awfully long time, usually when we say 'no' to something she really wants (no, you can't have cornflakes and icecream for lunch) and Miss 10 has long since upgraded from tantrums to snits. I'm hoping Mr Happy Smileypants continues on his current merry path and stays tantrum free until he is, oh, 30.