What can I do about his crankieness

[ldinsmore]

My son is 9 months old, he has no patience with anything. At supper time he fights me on getting in his high chair, he doesn't play by himself for very long, he fusses getting his diaper changed. He seems to have quite the temper and that kinda worries me. If he doesn't get his way he cries and i think that's normal but there are time when it's really bad. Please give any advice i will be happy to listen.

[Jives10]

My son is almost 9 months as well and his behavior is exactly the same! He was the perfect baby, all smiles, never cried or fussed, slept for 12 hours a night, ate happily, easy to change diaper and then suddenly this past month he has become the antichrist. He whines and cries if he doesn't get his way. Screams at me (like he's in pain) when I change his diaper. He will cry at feedings because he wants to feed himself, I end up giving him a spoon to keep him occupied while I use another to sneak in the food. I thought it was due to summer traveling, but his schedule is exactly the same (feedings & naps etc). Now after talking to my sister (her daughter is 7) she informed me that it was common for babes to be so cranky? That maybe he's trying to communicate with all of us and we just are't getting the message. We are trying sign language (he's not really that interested at the moment, but I still try to teach). I usually have to turn everything off (no phones, tv, toys) get on the floor and just talk to him or try to interact with him, it works for the moment. But then he'll go back to whining or yelling at me in a few hours time. I never get mad or lose my temper even though I am a little hot-headed myself, because I know that he is a baby and doesn't know any better but I am also going crazy and running out of ideas on how to handle his crankiness.

[MommaC]

At this age, babies have a clearer idea of what they like and don't like. Their ability to communicate is limited so they're continually frustrated. ALWAYS respond in a calm soothing voice...even when it's the 10th tantrum in the last 20 minutes. Modeling the type of behavior you desire is helpful. Sign language can also be helpful. My 11-month-old daughter started yelling SO MUCH during meals...which made me very tense and made all of us hate mealtime. We've been working on teaching her signs for "more", "food", "drink", and "all done". The yelling has decreased because she can "tell" us what she wants instead of yelling repeatedly until we guess the right thing. For diaper changes and not wanting to be in the carseat, we usually use distraction. Sometimes a toy works, but singing tends to work better. Happy face and happy tone. Calm demeanor. Lots of patience. Good luck! :)