Is it normal or even possible for a 5 month old to throw tantrums?

Question

He just cries and cries the minute we put him on the floor, he has stopped playing independently, he's not smiling or laughing as much, and when we hold him he will arch his back and wave his hands as if to "hit" us and cry. We are at a loss. He already has gotten his first two teeth, so we know what that looks like. This isn't it. But what is it? Tantrums? Boredom? It has been happening for almost two weeks now.

He has been on formula since birth because of my health problems. He has never had problems with the formula before now. He is eating applesauce and rice cereal twice a day (per doctor's instructions). He also takes an infant gas remedy to combat the gas issues from the formula.

I'm a stay at home mom, he's never in daycare. And it's not that he fights us, its that he cries and flails his arms. I will think as to what might have changed. The only thing I can think of is adding solid food w/in last two weeks.

Answer 1

5 month olds don't throw tantrums in the same sense as 10 or 12 month olds. There is usually a reason for this type of behavior, beyond "I'm not getting what I want". So even though he does seem to be "having a fit", try not to look at it in the same sense that you would a toddler's tantrum that is calculated to get what they want. This is a baby who is trying to express that something is very wrong, and he can't handle it without you.

The fact that he is regressing, not playing independently or smiling & laughing, etc. is very disturbing, especially in addition to the "fits". This is definitely something I would be discussing with the doctor as soon as humanly possible. If he seems to be in pain to you, or shows any other symptoms of illness, a trip to the ER tonight wouldn't be out of the question. My best guesses at what could be causing this are either reflux or an ear infection, but only a doctor can diagnose or rule these out for sure.

It's also worrisome that he arches and cries even when you are trying to pick him back up and hold him. Inconsolable crying is always a red flag with infants. Everything about this situation is screaming to me that something is wrong physically with your little baby boy. I hope you can find out what it is and help him through it quickly!

Best wishes, and a smooch for your poor little guy! :-*

Answer 2

I really think this is too early for a tantrum. What I've learned with my two kids is that if there is a drastic change in their behavior, something is wrong. I don't want to instill panic, but you should run through a process of elimination to figure out what could be wrong. They are still so young and "primal", if you will, that usually sudden changes in behavior mean something. Look at other things too...Is he taking his bottles ok? Is he sleeping through the night ok? It wouldn't hurt to have his pediatrician take a quick look at him just to make sure he doesn't have an ear infection or strep. You would be surprised on how many times they can have something without a fever and the only way you get a "clue" is by a change in their behavior. If the doctor says there is nothing wrong, then I would ask you if he is in daycare during the day or is someone else taking care of him? I would wonder what the heck is going on there that he feels he needs to "fight" you when you try and pick him up.

Answer 3

Get to a doctor.
NOW!!!
The fact he is regressing is very worrysome. It could be any number of things, but you need to rule out medical problems. The doctor will also have advise for you.

As to tantrums, YES!
My brother started tantruming at 5 months. If my mother moved him to a different room, or picked him up when he wanted to be down, or didn't hold his bottle "correctly", he would arch his back and scream.
BUT
He was immediately soothed. As soon as you did whatever it was he wanted, he calmed down. Like a light switch. And he would be happy and smile.
Tantrums continued until the age of 3 years. He is still the most stubborn, hard headed person you will ever meet. He's 28 now.

Answer 4

why that first answer got 3 thumbs down is beyond me...are people really that ignorant? If your baby is acting completely out of character. Unconsolably crying and arching his back when you pick him up...something isn't right. No they don't have tantrums at this age. They do know how to express their feelings though. Being angry and frustrated is one thing. What your baby seems to be doing is quite another. People tend to forget that babies have to deal with a variety of emotions too...adults aren't the only ones that get frustrated with life...we just have different stresses is all. But what you are describing sounds like he might be in some sort of pain or discomfort. Take your gut instinct and go with it. MOST parents can sense when there is something wrong with their child. Its' just a feeling we have. Take him to the Drs where he is so young. 5 months is too young to be "putting it off" to see how things go...

Answer 5

Yes it is normal.Around the age of 5-7 months a baby becomes very clingy.They want their mom and dad more then anyone else around them.They want to be held alot.This stage will soon past and the baby will want back on the floor for playing and sitting and learning how to crawl.I have 6 kids and they all went through this stage.I will be the first to tell you that you can not spoil a baby by holding them and showing them love.Alot says you can but to me a spoiled baby/kid is one who cries for material things.Not love.just hold him a few extra minutes then distract his attention when you put him down.For those who says the baby is in pain,think about it.Why is he only arching his back when he is put down? It is a tantrum.

Answer 6

It is possible that he is having a tantrum, however I would also look in to the possibility of a food allergy or sensitivity. If that is all that is new in his world I would bet that it is a) caused by one of the foods or b) separation anxiety which can be more severe in some children. Talk to your doctor.
As with the foods try a week with only one (ie. no applesauce) note if this is still happening then reintroduce that food and see if there is a change.
Good luck!

Answer 7

At 5 months old it really isn't possible that it is a tantrum. The arching back makes me think medical problems, take him to a doctor. It sounds to me like these could be mini seizures.

Answer 8

Initially I thought maybe he had "arm colic" which is basically just not wanting to be put down from being held all of the time. But if he is arching his back when you pick him up, as if in pain, maybe he has a belly ache. Is he on formula? Is he gassy? Does he enjoy a swing? I would start putting him down, and walking away for short periods of time and try to stretch the time out each time. Gradually, I mean. If he settles down very quickly after you pick him up, he just wants to be held and you'll have to let him fuss it out.

Answer 9

When my son used to do this he had a gass bubble stuck inside of him i would have to work on geting it out for like an hour and then he would Belch realy loudly. it realy sounds like he is in pain. at this babies do not throw tantrums.


Is it possible he has acid reflux--arching the back is one of the symptoms. Other symptoms are frequent spitting up, hiccuping, high pitched cries, gas or constipation, and there are others. Ask your doctor if you think it is a possibility

even if you know he has it and he is taking medication for it might no longer work for him/her

Answer 10

Your baby probably just doesn't want you to put him down. I worked in the infant room at a daycare for 2.5 years and this is VERY common. A good way to tell is if the baby stops "throwing the tantrum" when you pick him up again. If he stops crying, he just wanted to be held! Don't give in though or he will never stop doing it.