Some advice please on these things?

Question

My almost 8 month old girl is such a good happy baby, she hardly fusses, naps well, sleeps through the night (but does occasionally fight it at first) but watch out when she gets angry!

One of the times when she is mad is when she is tired and doesn't want to sleep. She will scratch at me or yank on my clothing, scream, its a real tantrum- we have been working on that as it is. I gently take her hand away from me and firmly tell her no, nice touches. It is a work in progress still. There are others times but this is one of the main.

When changing her it was always time for her to smile at me and talk. Well now she fights it, she is so busy she hates being still. She twists right around, pulls at the diaper or my hands, just really makes it hard.I have tried giving her a toy- no go. My husband often will try to distract her but it doesn't work.Well this weekend when camping she was a little more agitated because there was so much to see and do. How dare Mommy try to change her! She actually bite me during this tantrum! I looked at her and firmly told her no, not nice. The angel she is smiled at me! She even left a mark- she has two teeth and it really hurt!

So my questions are

How do you handle an 8 month olds temper-is ignoring it best unless she hurts you and then tell her a firm no?

What do you do when your child bites you - ignore or speak firmly to them telling them no?

Is biting something an eight month old does or did my arm get to close when she was tensing her body during the tantrum like does-lol?

Any advice on making diaper changing easier would be great also-Thanks

Answer 1

I know exactly what you are going through. I have been changing my sons diapers with him standing up since he was about 9 months old. (hes 12 months) I couldn't take his tantrums so i let him stand. Its so much easier on the both of us.

As with the biting i would completely ignore it. (of course if you need to move you arm away) but overall don't react. If that doesn't works tell him no in a very firm voice.  

Answer 2

Honestly, there's no real way to make diaper changing easier if she's not able to be distracted. Is she standing yet? If so, change her potty diapers while she is standing--that's a definite possibility. If it's poopy, use the straps on your changing pad around her belly and put it on fairly tightly so it's not easy for her to flip. You'll just have to learn to change really quickly. When she is throwing a tantrum or when she bites you, hold her hands, look her in the eyes, firmly say, "No biting," "we don't throw tantrums," or just "no" and put her down. When she is put down and ignored, she'll get the hint that she's done something wrong. She's not too young to learn.  

Answer 3

as for discipline...i have read that the only way to really enforce it on a baby that young is to say no firmly and try to distract them. although, it doesnt really work, my son just goes right back and looks back and smiles. the changing thing- i have developed a new technique. it sounds rough but its really not. i lay him on the floor, then i gently put my leg across him. not applying any pressure..goodness no, just to keep him from flipping and crawling away. im sure im gonna get thumbs down for this because it sounds harsh, but its totally not.   good luck!