20month old tantrums

Behaviour

My 20 month old (f) is really struggling with emotional regulation, and it's breaking my heart. Her tantrums are terrifying she gets herself so worked up.

Obviously her language at this stage is still limited and I try to help her identify how she's feeling and name it. I tell her I still love her when she's cross, I don't get mad at her but I am getting to the stage where it's draining everything I have emotionally. She'll run away from me, never comes to me when I ask her to, getting out of the house is like a Carry On sketch.

This afternoon she woke from her nap and was just livid from the moment her eyes were open. Didn't want me to pick her up out of her crib, was trying to smack me, changing her nappy was like wrestling with a crocodile.

She gets so worked up she sweats and is almost hyperventilating. Sometimes she hits her own head on the floor too and all I can do is put my hands between her head and the floor as if I pick her up I'll get hit!

Please hit me with all of your tips and nuggets of wisdom to help her. I'm beyond tired so feel free to ask any follow up questions you may need also 😅 thanks so much in advance

Posted Jul 11, 2026, 1:34 PM UTC

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