what can I do about screaming 13 mo. old?

[lolalola]

Hi ladies: I have what I think to be, an unusual problem. I thought I'd ask here, because I really need advice.

My 13 month old son has taken to screaming at the top of his lungs.

At first, I thought he was just discovering his voice, so I thought it was kinda cute....

Well, it's been going on now for almost a month, and seems to be getting worse

Has anyone dealt with this sort of thing? How do I get ds to stop screaming?

Any, and all advice is welcome....help.

[peacelovingmama]

My son went through a phase like that too. It was an earpiercing shreik and he seemed to be experimenting with his voice modulation but it was horrid, especially when we were out and about. The only thing that ever seemed to work was distraction.

I remember this phase vividly because we were once grocery shopping when he did this (he was maybe 13 or 14 months) and an angry-looking woman said: "That kids needs a smack." I was livid. I followed her with my cart and explained that I was terribly offended that she would suggest violence against a baby. : Anyway, not sure why I am going off on this sad tangent except to relate to you that I've been there!

[Viriditas]

My 11.5-month-old does this too! It never even occured to me that there would be anything I could do about it. I think one of the perks to being a baby is that you can't be expected to conform to society's rules of conduct!

Sorry I don't have any advice, but just wanted to let you know that I'm there, too! Actually, I do have one piece of advice. Try your best not to care what other people think. Your son is just a baby, and he won't be a baby for long.

[lolalola]

Thanks for the support mamas

Yeah, I've gotten 'those' looks too when out with ds. I can't believe anyone would actually say something like that...it's appalling!

Oh well...hopefully it won't last forever. It's starting to make me feel edgy kwim?

[OHmidwife]

You have my sympathy. My 16 mo old son has been doing this since he was a wee little thing and he LOVES to scream. He is so gleeful, it's always been hard not to smile back at him, which of course just encourages him. It has become really ear piercing, esp. when he is in his backpack right next to my ear! He also loves to scream in stores, and he loves to scream in bed when we are going to sleep, and sometimes first thing on waking up. Sigh. I have no suggestions as I've never found anything that works. Once in a while he'll stop if I give him a cracker or something to eat, but then he'll just start up again when the cracker is gone. I'm hoping he'll eventually outgrow it, but I'd love to hear if anyone else has ideas.

[momaste]

DS is 13 months also and he does a high pitched staccato shriek when he's tired. I tell him that's the sound tired boys make and take him in to lay down for a nap. At first, he cried when I took him in for the nap, even though he WAS tired and I rocked with him and he did fall asleep. (I didn't just toss him in the crib or anything!)

Now, if he does that and I say, "That's the sound tired boys make!" he either quiets down immediately or he goes along with me to nap without a fuss. It seems like it's become part of his tired cues - rub the eyes, yawn, shriek. Now if I could get him to cut it out altogether...

I'm trying to be a gentle mama, and I'm not sure if this is especially gentle. I don't let him CIO, but sometimes he fusses in his crib for a few minutes at nap or bedtime before going to sleep. (He is the anti-co-sleeping baby - wants his own space!)

[tracilicious]

I don't think that's unusual at all. We just exclaim, "Oh wow, that's loud!" Not in a judging way at all, just giving her words for the discovery she is having. Then if I want quieter sounds I'll try saying, "Let's make some quiet sounds!" Then I'll whisper with her.

[Ruthla]

Oh, yeah. Totally normal, totally infuriating.

They do eventualy outgrow this phase, usualy when they learn more words.

[Mizelenius]

Learn to meditate, seriously. It will help you not panic, not take it personally . . .the calmer you are, the better you will feel, the better your DS will feel. It will not stop the screaming (nothing will, except maybe a lollipop, which I am not against using in certain situations!) but it will help you get through it.

Oh, yeah, and I cover my ears. DD2 did this a few times and would get distracted to see me cover my ears. Then she forgot what she was doing.

[chaoticzenmom]

You could use it to your advantage I have a 15 mo old and he screams like that. We went to disneyland and someone cut in front of us in a long line....I bet they wish they hadn't! Everytime my ds screamed, I held him up to the guy's ear!LOL Also, we went to a restaurant and got VERY quick service!

Look on the bright side

On a more serious note, when he screams, we quietly say "shhh" and try to distract him without actually giving in to his screams. Or, if he's seeking attention, we wait until the screaming is over before we give it to him.

Lisa (mom of 3 wonderful children)

[lolalola]

Thanks ladies, for your responses and support.

It makes me feel better knowing this isn't an unusual problem.

Meditation is a strategy I'll work on. The high-pitched screaming really does a number on my nerves.