Baby Temper Tantrums
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Experiencing Baby Temper Tantrums
Have you seen a baby temper tantrum?
Babies are great aren't they? Such a joy to see your new baby for the first time. Nothing compares. Then the family and friends come around telling you how beautiful your new arrival is. Strangers stop you in the street. Wonderful. OK so there are the sleepless nights to deal with, but the reality really hits when your baby has a major tantrum. How are you supposed to deal with baby temper tantrums? Not something they teach you in parenting classes, at least not my experience. Fortunately help is at hand.
Babies are great aren't they? Such a joy to see your new baby for the first time. Nothing compares. Then the family and friends come around telling you how beautiful your new arrival is. Strangers stop you in the street. Wonderful. OK so there are the sleepless nights to deal with, but the reality really hits when your baby has a major tantrum. How are you supposed to deal with baby temper tantrums? Not something they teach you in parenting classes, at least not my experience. Fortunately help is at hand.
It's Not A Tantrum - He's Just A Baby
When reading about tantrums and aggression you might be thinking - "Hang on - terrible twos maybe but he's only a baby". Keep in mind that although most of the issues appear later on are caused now. Often the behavior you see (with other people's) two years and four years can be avoided early on. If you're looking for advice on this, the material in The Happy Child Guide has a section specifically on this subject.
The Science Of Tears
Could there be a purpose behind tantrums?
Dr William Frey II did extensive research on tears, publishing his findings in his book, Crying: The Mystery of Tears
. The aim of his research was to find out if there is a difference between tears caused by emotional and physical pain. In the emotional tears he found a hormone called ACTH which is one of the main indicators scientists have for detecting stress in the body.
The conclusion he found was that when you have a build up of stress, having a good old cry is a great way to get it out of your system. It's not just kids who feel much better after crying as you may already have experienced yourself. But as kids, and especially babies, don't have many other ways to deal with stress, so it's a good way they have of letting off some steam. Which is something we all want to do right?
Dr William Frey II did extensive research on tears, publishing his findings in his book, Crying: The Mystery of Tears
. The aim of his research was to find out if there is a difference between tears caused by emotional and physical pain. In the emotional tears he found a hormone called ACTH which is one of the main indicators scientists have for detecting stress in the body.The conclusion he found was that when you have a build up of stress, having a good old cry is a great way to get it out of your system. It's not just kids who feel much better after crying as you may already have experienced yourself. But as kids, and especially babies, don't have many other ways to deal with stress, so it's a good way they have of letting off some steam. Which is something we all want to do right?
Does Your Baby Cry Too Much?
If you are concerned about your baby crying then the first thing you should do is rule out a medical cause. Visit your doctor and get your baby checked out. Don't be tempted to self-diagnose on the Internet.
Once you've ruled out a medical cause, then the crying might be related to life stresses. I know they're only little but they will have undergone some quite extraordinary experiences that anyone would find stressful. Examples include stress from pregnancy, the birth itself or adjusting to the new world of bright lights, different sounds, smells etc. Don't blame yourself for any of this, but it might be helpful to understand some of the potential reasons.
Once you've ruled out a medical cause, then the crying might be related to life stresses. I know they're only little but they will have undergone some quite extraordinary experiences that anyone would find stressful. Examples include stress from pregnancy, the birth itself or adjusting to the new world of bright lights, different sounds, smells etc. Don't blame yourself for any of this, but it might be helpful to understand some of the potential reasons.
Important!
Understanding Baby Tantrums
Read about the research behind the cause of, and best approach in dealing with baby tantrums at RaisingHappyKids.net.
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