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By
Elizabeth Pantley, Author of Gentle Baby Car
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)
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