my seven month old has a bad temper!!

[sasha _bryans_mom]

i have a seven month old son. out of the blue he just started with this really bad temper when he gets mad he scrateches his face all the time that he makes his cheeks bleed.also he likes being picked up alot, so when i do and hes not in a good mood he hits at my face,scratches, and even pulls hair. and even tries to what seems like he trys to bite my face. and everyone complains to me cause everyone that he comes in close contact to he seems to hit with aggression. CAN IT BE THAT HES TEETHING CAUSE HES BARLEY GETTING HIS FIRST TOOTH ITS BARLEY SURFACING! CAUSE IVE HEARD STORIES THAT THEY CAN GET IRRATIBLE. SO IF ANYONE CAN PLEASE HELP!!! i want this being my first time as being a mother to be a great expereince, not me not having to want more children in the future.

[eniese]

For the most part, seven month old babies can't really "hit with aggression". My guess is that he's uncomfortable. The scratching his own face can be a sign of teething, itchy skin, or just experimentation. If he's currently getting a tooth in, it's likely to be contributing to his irritability (the most painful time is right when it's surfacing or just before). Teething gels and tylenol can be a big help during these times. Babies like faces and they go through a phase where they touch your face, pull your hair, etc just because they're trying to understand the world around them. You can start gently pushing his hands away and saying "no" when he does something that hurts, but he's probably not going to understand for quite a while.

If other people are complaining that much, I'd guess they've never had kids of their own. Try explaining to them that he's just experimenting and that they can gently tell him no if he does something they don't like.

During the first year babies develop very quickly and go through all manner of phases. Once they are in the 10-15 month range you can start actually disciplining and get results, but be selective. At that age you should be mostly concerned about behaviors that hurt themselves or other people. Don't discipline for things like getting messy while eating etc.

[Bec caV]

I would have to agree with eniese on this, I doubt he's doing it to be aggressive. More than likely it's the tooth coming in.

As far as the acting like he's trying to bite you... what he's most likely doing is just exploring. Remember, babies like to put everything in their mouth... including parts of you. My nose has been chewed on more times than I can count recently as well as my hands and wrists and cheeks. My son is just exploring me... realizing that my hand isn't his hand by biting down on it. Also, the biting motion, pressure against the gums, helps relieve the pain of the tooth coming through (counter pressure against the tooth)

[domestic-engineer]

SASHA i had the same problem, it actually started when my daughter was 7 months old! she totally knew what she was doing it was out of anger.. im not sure what caused it i just softly grabbed her hand and held it everytime while saying the word "no" very strong.. she would pinch alot and lunge to bite! i ws sooo freaked out that she was acting out so young but i assume it was the teething now she is over ten months and she is way better she will get upset and act like she is going to pinch or slap and stops its quite funny. but a firm no always gets her back in line.. lots of people dont give there children credit for being as smart as they are.. they know what there doing, and its your son only you will really know if he knows..

[atippit]

origel, tylenol, cold washcloths, cold teething rings...

my son hits everything, me, toys, etc. he's not aggressive he just likes to hear whatever noise comes out. but yours sounds like he's irritable and aching from teething. i'm on tooth number 3 with three others swelling up behind it... it's not fun but it gets a little easier or you get used to it after the first one.