Whiny Baby

United States
May 19, 2009 1:24pm CST
Hello mothers. My 20 month old has recently started whining all the time. What do you do? How do you teach a baby that young to reason with you and quit whining to get her way?
9 responses
@abkinsey (173)
• United States
19 May 09
My son is 19 months old. When he starts whining, I tell him that I can't understand what he's saying when he whines like that. I tell him that I will be glad to help him out when he stops whining. Then, he doesn't get any attention until he changes his attitude. It works well for us!
• Canada
19 May 09
That sounds like a great idea I should try it with my daughter she's in the terrible twos and loves to try and whine at me sometimes...Even when she asks nicely she will whine a pleassse lol!
• United States
22 May 09
I have a three year old and he has been very difficult since he was bor(ofcourse i dont tell him this) but he whinnes a lot and what I started doing is when he is asking me for something and whinnig I ignore him for a little bit then I tell him to ask me the right way, when he does I give him what he wants and I let him know that he is a good boy and that I like it when he is a good happy boy and he has improved so much its crazy I dont have such a hard time with him good luck and I hope that I hae been of some help
@BlueAngelRS (2899)
• Canada
19 May 09
I just tell my daughter that if you whine at me when you ask for something I can't understand you talk nice to Mom and Mom will give it to you...It's a stage they go through sometimes I will send her to her room and tell her she can sit there til she can stop whining then come out and ask me...Hope this helps!
@harmonee (1228)
• United States
20 May 09
I think the most important thing is to not give her what she is whining about. If you give in, it teaches her that whining pays off. Tell her you can't understand her when she talks like that and gently ignore her until she stops.
@tashakau (131)
• Canada
20 May 09
I am a mother of two and I feel your pain! but dont worry your child is just expressing himself and you just need to remind him to use his words and you will not respond to his whining. It does not take long for your child to understand that you he will not get his way by whining. I think that this is just a phase that most children go thru and it stops soon after. Good luck
• United States
19 May 09
I have a 20 month old too. Up until about a month ago she has been a little angel. She has started whining and fussing a lot as well. I tell her I can't understand what she is saying, or try to redirect. If the whining continues I ignore it, sometimes this works once the child realized they aren't going to get what they want. It's all about consistency. You are not alone and although it can be tiring to listen to the whining don't give in and remember it will pass soon enough.
@Pitgull (1522)
• United States
19 May 09
Maybe you should whine back at her? If she doesn't like it, maybe you can explain that's how you feel. Not sure. My cousin's fiance is pregnant, and she flicks her belly if he kicks her too hard....and he stops. So it seems like you've got to get them while they are young. Whining, my mom never liked it. I got in trouble for it, so it made it easier to stop. :)
• United States
19 May 09
I think it will take a while for them to really be able to reason. That is a skill that is developed over time, so dont expect it to happen over night! To get your baby to stop whining, dont listen to it! If your baby starts whining, tell them you are going to walk away if they keep whining. If they continue, walk away. Dont give them anything they are whining for. Little kids learn quickly what works! As frustrating as it is, DONT GIVE IN! If you do, they will keep whining even more! Be patient. She your child other ways to get what they want. Reward them for good behavior. They will learn to stop whining. Good luck!
@cj5guy (93)
• United States
19 May 09
You can't give in. If you give her a toy she was whining for, than you are encouraging that behavior. Other than feed, burp, or change (well at 20 months, she should be burping on her own) She should have basic vocabulary and be able to let you know what she wants. Just don't give in when she whines. It's a very hard habit to break, so start now.