Babies Everyday Care Understanding Your Baby's Tantrums Emotional Outbursts Are a Phase That All Kids Go Through By Jennifer White Jennifer White has authored parenting books and has worked in childcare and education fields for over 15 years. Learn about our editorial process Jennifer White Medically reviewed by Medically reviewed by Lyndsey Garbi, MD on May 03, 2020 linkedin Lyndsey Garbi, MD, is a pediatrician who is double board-certified in pediatrics and neonatology. Learn about our Review Board Lyndsey Garbi, MD on May 03, 2020 Print PhotoAlto/Ale Ventura/Getty Images Parents of a new baby spend the first year of their child's life getting to know her moods. But right around their first birthday, babies start becoming more prone to tantrums, which can catch even the most attentive parent off guard. A content baby can suddenly be in a full-on meltdown like a switch has been flipped. Amid the screaming, it's important for a parent to stay calm, even though it can be difficult. Frustration is the root of most tantrums. It can take time for a young child to learn how to express herself, and the disconnect between what they want and what they're trying to say is usually the point at which a tantrum begins. It is important for your baby to understand you care about her needs, so during these tantrums do your best to respond appropriately while maintaining healthy behavior boundaries for your baby. During a tantrum, parenting expert Elizabeth Pantley recommends that parents first consider whether a tantrum is really a symptom of something else, like fatigue or hunger. Oftentimes babies who are overstimulated will act out since they feel overwhelmed. Can a Temper Tantrum Be Harmful to My Toddler? How to Prevent Tantrums The key to preventing tantrums is being mindful of your baby's needs and anticipating them. Again, let's stress that this isn't easy, and if mom or dad is tired and frustrated as well, it's even harder. A tried-and-true way to prevent tantrums caused by frustration is to keep your baby on a predictable routine. Wake up time, breakfast time, nap time, bedtime, etc., should follow the same patterns as often as possible. This predictability gives small children a sense of security, which is extremely comforting. On days when you know the routine is going to deviate (grandma and grandpa are notorious disruptors, though their intentions are usually good), try to plan accordingly. This may mean an extra reward for good behavior, or an impromptu nap if a baby's looking fussy. Of course, there's no foolproof method to ensure perfect behavior at all times, and you'll likely deal with a tantrum at some point, regardless of how hard you work to avoid it. Kids have an uncanny knack for throwing their loudest tantrums in a grocery store or a nice restaurant. Just bear in mind that the more you react with anxiety, frustration, or anger, the more fuel you'll be heaping on the fire. Do your best to keep calm, speaking in a firm but soothing voice. Gentle touches can also help soothe her temper. Remember at this age, your baby will likely need help to calm down. It isn't a skill that she has on her own just yet. Useful Strategies to Reduce Your Child's Meltdowns Another key thing to remember: Don't let an older baby or toddler use tantrums or unruly behavior to get what she wants. If you give in and buy that toy to stop a crying fit, you'll only reinforce this negative behavior. If you think your baby's tantrums are prolonged and bordering on out-of-control, or it takes a long time to calm her down, this might be something to discuss with your pediatrician, to ensure there isn't a larger health-related problem. Keep Your Cool (Even Though It Can Be Tough) Additionally, your mindset can help influence how you react. Have appropriate expectations for your baby's development. Be patient with your baby when she's in a new situation or with new people. Work with your baby as she is learning new skills and prone to frustration. Be sure to give yourself a break, too; many parents, especially first-time parents, blame themselves or think it's their fault when their baby throws a tantrum. It's a normal stage of every baby's development, and it doesn't last forever (although sometimes it does seem never-ending). By keeping a cool head and showing your baby you care about her needs, you'll weather the tantrum years just fine. Parenting Mistakes That Fuel Temper Tantrums Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Track your baby’s most exciting moments with our milestone checklist. Get it free when you sign up for our newsletter. Sign Up You're in! Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. There was an error. Please try again. What are your concerns? Other Inaccurate Hard to Understand Submit Article Sources Verywell Family uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Diseases and Conditions. Temper Tantrums. Johns Hopkins Medicine. Published online, no date. Daniels E, Mandleco B, Luthy KE. Assessment, management, and prevention of childhood temper tantrums. Journal of the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners. 2012 Oct;24(10):569-73.