Aggressive Behavior in 18 Month Old

I am desperate for some help. DD has become very aggressive - biting, hitting, pulling hair, and throwing things. I am so frustrated and just don't know what to do anymore. I try ignoring her behavior. If we're playing and she does something aggressive I put her down and take my attention away. I try telling her no and to do nice. I try time outs, which used to work, but have become a game to her. She'll laugh as she tries to crawl away from her time out spot. If I walk away from her while she's in time out she will run over to where I am and look at me to make sure I know she got out of time out before I let her out.

I do believe it's partly out of frustration. She talks a lot and has many words and phrases, but I do think there are times she tries to communicate that she wants something or doesn't want to do something and is not able to. For example, she loves to watch videos on my iPad, which I limit. But if she sees the iPad, she has a complete meltdown and gets aggressive when I tell her she can't play with it.

I know others have dealt with this. How do you deal? I have bruises and just end up crying because of it. We have her 18 month well visit next week and I do plan to bring it up to the ped, but I am sure he'll tell me it's age appropriate and to be consistent with time outs.

Re: Aggressive Behavior in 18 Month Old

yup it sucks , its the age and i hear it just gets worse.l... I find activities out of the house the best .. bundle them up and tire them out so they are more relaxed when they go back inside. just try your hardest to distract and like they always say when they are crabby put them in water it works too. when you need a break thats when a puzzle, tv or ipad is handy.

Aggressive Behavior in 18 Month Old

that is my little guy. temper temper. if he doesnt get his way, or lets say he is eating something and you take away for a second for whatever reason, he will throw it and cry. i feel he mostly hits b.c he thinks its funny and he waits for a reaction and other times b.c he is frustated. i like to think it is a phase and will keep working with him. i continue time outs and i agree with pp, you have to let them expire their energy. Bundle her up and let her play outside. my little guy is like jack russel terrior. if you dont take him outside and do things with him, he will act out. good luck!

Re: Aggressive Behavior in 18 Month Old

Many times behavioral problems are caused by diet. I've heard so many stories from parents who say that their children were aggressive, overly emotional, etc. and no amount of positive discipline would work. As soon as they took their dc off gluten and/or dairy, they were a completely different child.

I would suggest trying a gluten, dairy and artificial color free diet for a month to see if the behavior improves. It is hard to do, but definitely worth trying!!

Message edited 1/3/2013 1:12:43 PM.

Aggressive Behavior in 18 Month Old

Ugh, I can not imagine it getting worse. Thanks for the responses ladies. She does seem better on days she has daycare, so maybe I just need to make it a point to get her outside everyday and let her get the energy out.

Aggressive Behavior in 18 Month Old

if I don't get dd (21 months) out everyday for a few minutes she is a nightmare by the late afternoon. sometime I drive to target or something and do a few laps around the store just to get her out.


eta: spelling

Message edited 1/4/2013 9:55:45 AM.

Re: Aggressive Behavior in 18 Month Old

Message edited 1/4/2013 10:11:41 AM.