How do you discpline a 10 month old who throws fits...already?

Question

Our baby is a pretty smart child for a 10 month-old and she acts much older in lots of ways, including her emotions. She exerts her emotions well, including anger, and lately has started throwing tantrums. We hadn't prepared to deal with this behavior so early and don't know how to stop or control it. Serious advice only please....

Answer 1

My view of it is this:

You say your child is pretty sharp already. A lot of "experts" will disagree with my approach to this, but if the child is already a 'thinking' child, then you have to deal with a 'thinking' child.

Some children you can see in their eyes that the meter's running, and they're just testing you.

At 10 months? It's your call, although it might sound pretty early.

Better to deal with basic child misbehavior early, before it becomes a real problem.

I say, hold the child firmly and talk to her sweetly.

She will resist, of course.
And you are not to hurt her or sound irritated in your voice.

Smile and tell her softly that you love her, and that is why you must hold her still.

She must learn to control herself, as well as the sounds that come out of her mouth. Tell her this.

When I did this for my 3, all before 18 months, they each resisted at first, one more than the others. But it only took once or twice for each of them.

But you look them in the eyes, or you whisper softly into their ears while you restrain their movements until they finally "surrender" and relax in your arms and rest quietly.

This may take some time. Do not try this if you are not prepared to go the distance here, because if you surrender first, you lose a lot more that this round.

They are learning that YOU set their limits, and that you are strong enough to care for them lovingly.

Each of my children would come to me when I called, quiet down when I'd say so, etc. which so many parents seem to be having a hard time training their children to do today.

I am convinced that tender loving restraint in their earliest fit-throwing episodes is the reason that they were easier to handle than most in their later years.

Of course, the child must be able to understand you.

Answer 2

This is from a website I pasted below

Don't lose your cool. A tantrum is not a pretty sight. In addition to kicking, screaming, or pounding the floor, your toddler's repertoire may include throwing things, hitting, and even holding his breath to the point of turning blue. When your child is swept up in a tantrum, he's unlikely to listen to reason, though he will respond — negatively — to your yelling or threatening. "I found the more I shouted at Brandon to stop, the wilder he would get," says one mother of a 2-year-old. What worked instead, she discovered, was to just sit down and be with him while he raged.

Staying with your child during a tantrum is a good idea. Stomping out of the room — alluring as that may be — can make him feel abandoned. The storm of emotion he's going through can be frightening to him, and he'll appreciate knowing you're nearby. Some experts recommend picking up your child and holding him if it's feasible (i.e., he's not flailing too much), saying he'll find your embrace comforting. But others say it's better to ignore the tantrum until your child calms down, rather than rewarding negative behavior. Through trial and error, you'll learn which approach is right for your child.

Answer 3

tantrums are normal. your child is overwhelmed by her emotions and needs your help calming down. never leave a small child alone, especially when she is upset.

the important thing is to not 'give in' or allow things you wouldn't allow, just because your child has a tantrum. that said, a ten month old is very very young. she is not manipulating you, she's just trying to make her way in the world.

Never hit, never yell. Emotions are wonderful and natural. Treat your child with respect.

Remember, bright as your baby is, an infant does not see the world the way you do. The infant is just figuring out that the world is separate from her.

Also, if you are not raising your child yourself, if you are using a nanny or day care, STOP and get home with your child. You'll understand her emotions a lot better.

Answer 4

You have taught her how to throw fits. She is at the age were she wants the attention and control. you need to take her and sit her in a time-out chair in a central place of your home and tell her she has to sit for two minutes and then tell you why she is anger. If she gets up you put her back until she serves her full time. then she needs to tell you why she threw the fit and apologize to the person she offended. She will stop her fit throwing as long as you follow through with the time out. IF YOU DON'T GET A HAND ON IT KNOW, YOU WILL BE WRITING BACK IN 2YEARS
WANTING TO TAKE A VACATION. our kids learn from us and at 10months old she is doing what he has been getting away with to get her own way. Remember each time she has to go to time out you have to be persistent and then make her tell you why and apologize. A little spat on the behind never hurt us as kids. It was a shine of authority and love.

Answer 5

Ignore the tantrums for now. She's not old enough for time outs yet. If the tantrum involves head banging, redirect her by distraction...turn on music, the TV & cartoons, start singing, etc. Babies this age, even when they act older than their chronological age, just need redirection. Distraction works the best. Sometimes just singing softly in her ear is enough to get her attention. I did that to my son a lot at that age. Sometimes I'd get on the floor with him & start playing with his toys, telling him what I was doing. That'd get him to stop the tantrum & tears to see what I was up to.

My son still likes me to talk softly in his ear & is 9 years old now. Guess it worked great then!

Answer 6

I had the same problem with my boy, my girls were angels...lol...I made him sit in the high chair for 2 minutes each time he threw his fit, ( a car seat will work too) this shows her u are in charge and she can not act like this. After the 2 minutes are up take her out hug her and tell her mommy loves her but she has to be a good girl...It may take a few times but she will get the hint!

Good luck!

Answer 7

Just say no. If your baby still continues, a very light tap on the hand to scold her for her behavior.

My daughter was 6 mos. old and pinching me. Everyone thought I was just overreacting. Then one day we're at a friend's house, I tell my daughter I'm going to get her shoes on so we can get food. She grinds her little teeth, growls, and pinches me hard on the arm. My friend was shocked.

With your daughter, if you tell her no, that's not nice or no you don't do that and she continues to do so, a very light tap on her hand should help her recognize she cannot behave that way. Although she's only 10 mos, she will grasp the concepts of what you are trying to tell her.

Answer 8

When she throws her little tantrums just ignore her..she will stop..It requires alot of patience on you and your husbands part but you can do it...No it is not mean to ignore her when she is haveing a tantrum..Sounds like she is a little bit spoiled and is used to having her own way Well if so you need to stop spoiling her or it will only get worse

Answer 9

the best thing to do is let that baby throw a fit and ignore her when she does it cause shell learn that your not paying attetion and finally give up. just give the baby some space i know that sounds funny, but i have a 10 month old baby that does the same thing sometimes and it works.

Answer 10

You need to ignore the child completely when he/she throws a tantrum. When they see that they will get no type of attention good or bad from you they will stop.