14 month old hitting herself when upset

amother

Thu, Nov 21 2024, 10:19 pm

First time mother and my 14 month old wont stop hitting herself. Every time she cries or doesn't get what she wants she smacks herself in the face. I always tell her nice baby. Is there anything else I could do? Is this a sign that something is really wrong with her?

amother

Brass

Thu, Nov 21 2024, 10:42 pm

amother OP wrote:

I'm also a new time mom and My son did this for a long time still tries.. is then not knowing how to manage big emotions it took him a while to outgrow this behavior but it's normal in my opinion he is nearly 3 now

mushkamothers

Thu, Nov 21 2024, 10:44 pm

It's a form of self regulation. Try teaching her to blow out to calm herself instead

amother

Almond

Yesterday at 10:37 pm

My baby is 18 mo. And not my oldest. I didn't have this with any of my other kids. He is slowly stopping to hit himself when he gets upset. I cuddle him, kiss him, hold him when I see him getting upset and I think he is getting better at regulating himself.

amother

Poppy

Yesterday at 10:49 pm

At this age they can't self regulate, they need to co-regulate. That means they rely on you to help them regulate. Of course you don't have to give her the toys she wants, but you can hold her or sink to her or even just speak calmly from across the room if she will let you get close. (If you're still nursing even better.) That's how you help build her regulation skills.

amother

Bubblegum

Yesterday at 10:58 pm

Is she at a babysitter? Could she be imitating the babysitter?

amother

Salmon

Yesterday at 11:03 pm

My daughter used to do this. First time mom here too. She stopped after a few weeks or months. I think her brain developed and she figured out other ways of tantrumming. I don’t think it was anything I did. You just have to wait it out and gently stop her from hurting herself whenever you see her doing it.

#BestBubby

Yesterday at 11:18 pm

Don't look.

Leave the room.

If give any attention you will reinforce this behavior.

Maybe if ignore it will stop.

amother

Aster

Yesterday at 11:22 pm

I would try to soothe her. Hold her and try to calm her down.

amother

Watermelon

Yesterday at 11:33 pm

#BestBubby wrote:

Don't look.

Leave the room.

If give any attention you will reinforce this behavior.

Maybe if ignore it will stop.

This isn't about "behavior", it's about teaching the child good ways to regulate.

amother

Clover

Today at 2:10 am

#BestBubby wrote:

Don't look.

Leave the room.

If give any attention you will reinforce this behavior.

Maybe if ignore it will stop.

Please no! This is a baby who can't express themselves or regulate themselves.
Hold her, talk to her, let her squeeze a ball, hold a fuzzy teddy, play with water. Anything other than ignoring her.

amother

Gold

Today at 2:18 am

Is she overtired when she does this and needs a nap? Either way, this is a sensory seeking behavior that she's trying to do to regulate herself and make herself feel better. I'd try to find if there's any weighted vests or weighted blankets appropriate for her age, and give her big, gentle squeezes when she starts this. She just wants to feel better and she doesn't know how.