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DS very aggressive towards babies...help!

ElacklenElacklen
in Toddlers: 24 Months+

DS is 27 months and for the last several months has been very aggressive towards any babies we meet. He comes at them with a smile, then immediately smacks their face as hard as he can, repeatedly. He will rake his fingernails across their face, grab their heads and shove, and grab their feet and try to yank them out of their seat. When it first happened to a friend's baby we were shocked and horrified. I don't know where this behavior is coming from. He literally physically attacks them.

Now that we have a newborn at home, the behavior continues. (need to update my ticker!) I am legitimately worried he is going to seriously injure her. I can't have her at his level for any reason. If I am holding her, I am trying to fend him off with the other arm as he bum rushes us constantly. We keep her in a Moses basket/bouncer/etc on the kitchen counter for now because that's the only place out of his reach. I know that isn't safe, especially as she gets older and can move more. 

We have shown him countless times how to be gentle, shown him that he is hurting the baby, told him a firm NO, etc. He admittedly has a very hard time with boundaries and does not listen to "No" or "Stop" very well. 

 We are baffled, and frankly, scared. Not to mention exhausted as this is a constant daily battle and we can't leave him unsupervised for even a second. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. How can we stop this and how should we punish his actions? Thanks... 

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Re: DS very aggressive towards babies...help!

  • jen1177jen1177 member
    Get him a cabbage patch doll or something like that. then work with him on how to treat that doll. DS had gotten a cabbage patch newborn doll for his 1 year birthday from one of my aunts to prepare him for his little sister. My kids are 15 months. Connor was so sweet to that doll, he would feed it and kiss it...etc. And he is just as sweet to his sister. Although that depends on the day. Now that she is almost walking...he is not always so impressed. Sometimes he will push her over etc. But some of that is normal. Be consistent with punishments. Put him in a 2 min. timeout. He is not too young for that.
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  • JustMarried2005JustMarried2005

    I personally would punish his actions a bit stronger.  You said that he doesn't listen to "No" very well, so I would start on figuring out what will get his attention.  Is it time outs?  Toys taken away?  No favorite TV show? A swat on the butt? There has to be something that will get his attention.  Good luck and I'm sorry he is testing you like this - I hope it passes soon.

     

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  • PeskyPesky member
    I've mulled this over because I don't want to be alarmist but you know what, if his behavior is scaring you and you can't leave him unsupervised, call your pedi.  Now.  I have to agree with pp that perhaps a professional might be able to assist you better.  Sometimes some outside help is necessary and I'd get it now to nip this in the bud.


    image
    DD -- 5YO
    DS -- 3YO

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