Why Do Babies Cry, Kick, and Throw Tantrums? Here’s What to Do Before Age 2

If your little one is under two, you’ve probably seen the crying, the yelling, maybe even the dramatic roll-on-the-floor performance. Totally normal. Babies at this age don’t have the words—or the emotional tools—to say what they need. That’s where you come in. Here are the 3 steps you can do when you are in trouble.

Step 1: Be Their Emotional Translator.

When your baby suddenly bursts into tears, pause and look for clues. Did they bite down on a toy and hurt their gums? That’s your moment. Gently explain, “Ouch, that toy was hard, huh? That must’ve hurt.” Saying what they’re feeling helps your child start connecting experiences to emotions, this is the foundation for healthy emotional expression.

Step 2: Soothe, Don’t Ignore.

Hug them, pat their back gently. Don’t just let them cry out for a long time. Babies who cry for long periods without comfort can develop something called “toxic stress,” which may harm brain development in the long run. Even the most by-the-book parenting won’t stop every meltdown, and that’s okay, once language kicks in, the tantrums usually dial down.

Step 3: Distract and Redirect.

Let’s say your baby picks up a stick from the ground and tries to eat it. You take it away, cue tears. Try shifting their focus, pick them up, show them something interesting, or offer a teething biscuit to satisfy that oral need.
Bottom line?

Understanding your baby now means less parenting stress later. Your influence is strongest in these early years—0 to 2 is the golden window to build emotional skills that last a lifetime.