in February 2021 Babies 🇬🇧

Sudden change in behaviour

My little boy had a viral infection last week and all of a sudden has become a completely different child. I have noticed since his little sister came along (14 weeks ago) he wasn’t playing in the garden as much and wanted to be indoors and was a little needier but was still really well behaved as far as a 2 year old goes, then last week anytime he asked for something that wasn’t allowed and was told no he has started throwing himself on the floor then when trying to console him or speak to him about why he feel like that starts screaming running in to another room, extremely loud ear piercing moaning and ignoring me. I understand they are going through terrible 2s and normally has tantrums but this is something else. We attend a toddler group on a Monday morning he used to dive straight in to any dancing or activity now won’t leave my lap. I always take him without his sister so we have our own time together. He asked for her to come and meet his friends which he has refused to play with the past 2 weeks. He sat in my Lap the whole class for weeks now. The final straw was this weekend, we go out everyday to a park or walk to get fresh air and play Saturday I took him, the baby and their cousin to their favourite park he would usually run in and play but refused. Today I tried again as another park he sat on a bench and said he didn’t want to play then sat under a climbing frame sad. I have tried talking to him but just says I don’t know why I am sad ( he is very advanced with speak so can hold a conversation well). I really don’t know if this is down to him not feeling great or it’s something else. Feel so out of my depth and helpless here as my son has always been outgoing and happy. Any advise would be amazing 😊

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Hello, sorry to hear you're going through this, it sounds like he is going through a bit of jealously towards his new little sister. It might be since she came along initially he was excited to have a sister but now when he realises that she is here to stay it is a big change and shock for him and he doesn't know how to deal with his emotions. It could be that he needs a bit of time with just you on his own not in a toddler group or playgroup/ park where he has to play with other kids but just the 2 of you for some 1:1 time, go for a walk, look at leaves, have a hot chocolate together, read books, get him a special present /toy and spoil him a bit. Lots of love and cuddles and even you can get him a special present from the baby. To also explain the nice things about having a sister even though it might be different. Also to say that mummy is still the same and everything is the same. Hope that helps

I had exactly the same with my boy who is 4 now and his little sister is 2. It does pass so just lots of reassurance and cuddles and don't worry it is normal xx

@Helen Hi thank you for replying with some ideas, We try at least once a week for one of us to do something like that with just him with my husbands work it isn’t always possible for us both to. He really loves her and always asks for her to come even if we say she will stay at home. We took him to Smyths and he chose a special present from her which he loves. He goes to a childminder every Friday (he’s been going since 8 months) and he isn’t like it there. While his sister is asleep I try and do mummy and Jesse activities crafts or building/making something if we are home But now just isn’t good enough just say no i want to watch the tele. I will keep trying thank you x

Sounds like he’s going through separation anxiety

@Charlotte il look in to it, he goes for a sleep over at grandparents every few weeks and has a great time and loves going to his childminder too

@Helen He has so much attention and feel like his sister gets fed then either put on a play mat or bouncer. It’s getting to the point it’s hard to bond with her his behaviour isn’t even when I am seeing to her it’s all the time now. thank you for the reassurance x

Aw that sounds so tough. I know my little boy has gone through lots of phases, it will pass don't worry and your sociable boy will come back xx. It is hard I have been there, if they feel sad it's hard to know how to make them feel better but what my mum said was give them time. Just be there for them and give them time. It will pass xxxx

May not be connected but have you heard of PANDAS?

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