My one year old throws tantrums: I need advice

Question

Well, my lovely daughter is turning one next week and she has always been so good. Over the past month or so, she has been trowing tantrums when she doesn't get what she wants. At meal times she eats a few bites, starts shreaking randomly, throws her food off her tray, then trhrows a screaming fit until we take her out of her high chair.

I understand that babies get frustrated that they can't communicate, but we have been teaching her baby signs right along, and she does use them.

She hits, throws things and makes the most interesting screaming noise. She also is refusing to nap these days. So, my questions are:

1. Why, exactly does this happen?

2. How do I discipline her without spanking/yelling?

3. How do I get her to nap? I already let her cry it out... I'm just not sure how long is okay to let her do this. I mean it lasts up to an hour sometimes.

4. How do I get her to eat?

5. How do I save my sanity?

Answer 1

Sounds like my 2 year old son. He went through this same phase, I introduced the time out spot. One minute time outs for every year of their age. Sometimes its hard, you set them down and they get right back up. I sat there with him, and I tell him, This is why your in time out, Big Boys do not do that. Wait his one minute and make him give you a hug and kiss when its over, hes two now and he knows right were the timeout spot is and doesn't even try getting up and running around. I dont spank or really yell so this is a great "punishment" my daycare lady uses the same method also.

I gave my son this big purple/blue stuffed frog. It helps him get to sleep and calms him down, find a stuffed animal that she likes or a small toy and give that to her, she will play with it and then just crash so to speak. When my son needs the cry it out method I usually let him cry for 10 minutes then go check on him and lay him back down.

As for eating, don't worry she will eat when she is hungry,when my son went through this stage, i looked to my mom for help (im the oldest of 6) and she just looked at me and said, "He will eat when hes hungry, don't worry about him skipping a meal, especially if he is just having a tantrum.

As for your sanity, I find mind after my son goes to bed, nice hot bubble bath is really relaxing.

Answer 2

Shes one ..shes trying to test your patience its what they do at this age ...ignore bad boy saying autism makes me sick someone says their child is acting out and they say autism !

Answer 3

My son does this some time. If he throws a fit i just ignore him and try to get him interested in something else. Like, my son hates for you to sit down and put his clohes on. I just ignore him and get him dressed. When he gets frustrated at something i get his mind off of it. Show him a favorite book or blow bubbles (he loves it!!)

It may not work for you but that has worked best for me. Also, if none of this seems to work i put him in "time out" i put him in his crib for just a couple of minutes. I think a change of scenery does a ton a good for him.

Good luck!

Answer 4

She is stating her independance... scary I know.  I have a son who does the same thing, but he is going on two now so we have been working with him for a year.  Yelling and spanking does not work.  When he was throwing food I would explain over and over that it is just not nice and that big boys do not throw food.  He no longer does it.  As for napping do not let her scream over 10 mins without checking on her.  Just keep telling her it is time for a rest.  She does not have to sleep but she needs to rest and be quiet.  Does she have a couple toys in her crib?  That helps us.  He usually falls asleep playing with his stuffed Mickey Mouse!.  You cannot make her eat, she will eat when she needs it. You can however make her sit at the table with the family until every one is done eating, and make her keep her plate in front of her.  That will usually help her get a few extra bites down cause she will get bored with just watching.  As for sanity, if you find yours let me know where so I can look for mine too!  It is an everyday struggle, but well worth it!

Good luck to you and your strong minded little girl!

Answer 5

first off i would go see your family doctor and have her checker over to see if maybe there is something wrong that she doesnt want to eat and also have her checked for alergies and autisum (being a parent of 2 autistic kids) it sounds asif she may be heading that way as for how to punish her taking away her fav. toy for a few mins for her tantrums is a good starting point (she will come to learn a tantrum means loosing her toy and calm down in time) naptime may be just out of the picture for her now as some kids do outgrow that need and eating may be a matter of just changing what you feed her to something new