6 month old first tantrum?

marym94 · February 2013

I have an almost 6 month old sweet baby boy... He rarely cries and he is such a good baby...until bath time is over! Lately, when I take him out of the bath he has a fit! I distract him by signing and he calms down quickly, but it has me wondering if this is a sign of future tantrums?! What should I be doing now to reinforce good behavior? First timer here and want to stop this before its really an issue!! Any advice is really appreciated!

marym94 · February 2013

I sing to him... Not sign to him. Just to clarify! Typo!!

J+MS · February 2013

Expect many more, my friend.

SpaceGirlSpiff · February 2013

I Heart The 80s:
He's 6 months old. He's probably cold. He's not having a tantrum. Just get him dressed.

This...

wife1014 · February 2013

CTGirl30:
I Heart The 80s:
He's 6 months old. He's probably cold. He's not having a tantrum. Just get him dressed.
Um, yeah --> this.
He's probably crying because a nice warm bath feels good and it sucks to get out and be cold when you're all wet. I'd cry, too, if I had to get out.

all of this

IncognitoSuperhero · February 2013

I don't think 6 month olds have "tantrums" they are communicating the only way they know how.

NotSharknado · February 2013

Yep, what they said.

marym94 · February 2013

aha! good point!!! i didnt think it was an actual tantrum i just saw this as the first sign of crying bc he didnt get what he wanted... tantrum was a bad word choice!!! but this is great insight.. maybe i will try warming up the towel before he gets out of the bath.. it is cold!! we will try it out! thank you!!!

RayRay007 · February 2013

I agree with PPs, although, if you're honestly worried about "reinforcing good behaviour" and "tantrums" in a six month old because he cries after a bath, try talking to him and giving warning and being gentle, like "ok honey, time to get out of the bath, it's going to be cold but we're going to get you wrapped up in this warm towel right away" etc. Sounds silly, but I think giving warning and then following through prepares kids for the transition and teaches them you mean business. Of course, at 6 months they don't really understand, but it's good practice for when they're toddlers.

kmm2150 · February 2013

I would also suggest moving bathtime 10 to 15 minutes earlier. DD has always loved her bathtime but if we go just a bit late she's too tired and gets really impatient with me.