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07/16/2002 Entry: "Yowl"

Tantrums. I can't figure out what's causing them all, but he's been having one long string of them ever since he woke up from his nap. He'll suddenly throw himself to the ground, put his face flat on the floor, and sob as if his heart is broken. I pick him up, but he continues to cry, wrenching himself as though he wants me to put him down. If I do, he goes right back to the floor.

Poor Sammy! I gave him some teething tablets and some frozen sorbet, just in case it was teeth, but he's still sad. For now, I'm just staying available to him, in case he decides he needs me.

On the plus side, though, he has made great strides (pardon the pun) at walking in the past two days. He seems very proud of himself about that. I wonder if the two are linked somehow, though? Maybe he wishes he was able to do even more?

Replies: 6 sandcastles

We have developmental explosions going on here, too. Walking, I think she's gearing up for more words and all sorts of more advanced play. And accompanying crankiness and small tantrums... *sigh*

Posted by Aimee @ 07/17/2002 03:38 PM EST

Yep, it's the awareness that they can do more, and I think, of their limitations. Sometimes they *want* to do more, but know they can't yet. Lots to deal with. It's going on here with the verbal skills and with dealing with Emma's siblings.
She's just barely learning how to put two words in a sentence, and yesterday let of a whole stream of verbalizations peppered with her sister's name in a tone upset-ness. Don't know what she was mad at her for. :)

Posted by Andrea R @ 07/17/2002 08:36 AM EST

Walking will definitely do that to a baby- it's like they realize they can get away from their mom, and that freaks them out, so they get clingy or whiny or moody. Margaret's going through it a little bit now, with her recent first steps. She's got the koala-bear hold down pat. :) I'm sure Sam will cheer up soon, when he sees that you won't let him get away that easily! :)

Posted by Helen @ 07/16/2002 09:51 PM EST

Every time one of my children have been on the verge of full-time walking, they've been so cranky. They have tantrums all day. Big milestones -- Crawling, walking, the "language explosion" -- most definitely come with a lot of really difficult behavior.

I sure hope his disposition improves soon. I know it's so hard!

Posted by Lauren @ 07/16/2002 09:40 PM EST

I think a developing mind and body are responsible for Sam's troubles.

My son used to have these periods tantrums a week or two before he had a big developmental breakthrough. I would just try and comfort him and wonder what was comming next.

Posted by Lisa @ 07/16/2002 05:18 PM EST

I don't have any advice, but I've seen the toddlers do the exact same thing at daycare. It breaks my heart to see them just throw themeselves on the floor like that!

They (the baby development experts) do say that as a baby learns a new skill--walking, talking, etc.--that it's a huge deal emotionally. Maybe he's just a bit overwhelmed? It will pass, though it must be hard to watch right now. When my 10-week-old Audrey screams inexplicably, it totally freaks me out (isn't that eloquent?).

Posted by Erica @ 07/16/2002 03:49 PM EST