Is It Normal for a 21-Month-Old to Whine All Day Long?

Toddlers with few language skills whine as a substitute for communication, but healthy 21-month-old children should not whine all day long. Crying, fussiness and whining frequently signal some sort of emotional or physical problem, and parents need to investigate the causes of the discomfort. Some parenting practices encourage children to whine, and this means looking closely at the parent-child interactions to avoid days filled with whining.

  1. Physical Discomfort

    • Exposure to hot or cold weather brings cries of discomfort from young children not accustomed to extreme temperatures. Bundling up children for cold weather keeps children warm, but whines signal problems with the extra outdoor clothing when the air temperatures rise. Clothing sometimes creates discomfort and kids whine to show problems with shoes that don't fit well, shirts or pants that chafe, or seams that rub and cause rashes or blisters. Toddlers at age 21 months sometimes dislike head wear such as a sun hat, sunglasses or a winter cap and whine to have parents remove the annoying clothing. Tight-fitting collars or long sleeves also push toddlers who like to have free movement into whining fits.

    Hunger Pangs

    • Hungry children cry and whine during the day, but the cries should stop during meals and immediately after dining. Toddlers have small tummies and need regular meals and two small snacks during the day to keep the stomach full. Experiment with healthy foods so your 21-month-old has a choice for all meals. MayoClinic.com suggests keeping toddler meals interesting by serving breakfast foods at lunch or dinner. Add a nutritious snack between lunch and dinner and one a few hours before bed to eliminate the hunger pangs that produce the cries.

    Separation Anxiety

    • Children whine to signal fear of being left alone or with strangers, and this behavior can continue until the young child reunites with familiar family members. Whining when separated from parents is a perfectly normal reaction for young children, but 21-month-old children experiencing this anxiety behavior is at the late age range for the reaction, according to KidsHealth. Children at this age frequently whine only with new types of stress such as changing day cares, moving to a new home or sharing life with a new sibling.

    Attention-getting Whines

    • Toddlers get bored easily and turn to whining as a way to motivate others to give them attention, according to the National Center for Infants, Toddlers, and Families. Children use whining to get noticed, and parents who give 21-month-olds attention when the whining starts ensure that the child will continue to use the technique in the future when baby gets bored. Toddlers used to getting attention might also feel left out when family members visit or parents pay attention to other children. Toddlers turn to whining to recapture attention from other family members.

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