Constant crying...end of my tether...what can I do??

[EverythingsDozy]

My 16mo DS cries. A lot.
I don't know what to do, he just seems hypersensitive and irritable.
If I leave the room, he cries. If I re-enter the room, he cries. If he drops something, If he stumbles, if I encourage him to walk one way, he cries. I have just taken his beaker off my leg and placed it on the table and he's screaming...

I thought it was down to tiredness and irritability but he hadn't been up long this morning before he started. He does seem tired all the time (can do 13 hours at night then 3/4/5 hours nap in the day) but the doctor said that he wouldn't worry about it and all children need different amounts of sleep.

I don't know what to do. I have an older DD who was never like this. She was so laid back where my son is so highly strung and high maintenance!!! He's so clingy, he can't bear to be away from me where my DD is so independent, which is what I'm used to.
What can I do? Do I cuddle him every time he cries, even though I know he isn't hurt or do I ignore it until he really needs a cuddle?? With DD, i would cuddle her if she cried but she mostly didn't, she would get up and get on with it so I knew when she cried that she was genuinely upset. If she fell over, I wouldn't make a big deal of it so if she did cry I know she was upset but my son cries all the time so I don't know if he's actually hurt himself or what.

[teasleromani123]

personally if your child isn't hurt leave them to cry, my second child was (well still is) like this but I just put her into her cot and let her cry,..
I think the earlier your child realizes that they cant always have all the attention

[teasleromani123]

my daughter crys herself to sleep and by doing this she isn't to bad now

[ChocolateBiscuitCake]

Only from my experience, ds2 was like this: always screaming, always tired despite 12+ hours at night and 2 hours during the day.

Turns out he had grade 4 tonsils and therefore sleep apnea at night ( not breathing) so his quality of sleep was so bad that he was exhausted.

Tonsils and adenoids removed and I have a different child.

[EverythingsDozy]

Thanks. I didn't want anyone to think I'm a heartless cow because I don't pick my son up every time he cries. I mean, I would never have time to do anything if I did, I wouldn't be able to make meals, do housework, I would constantly have him attached!!

How did you find out about his tonsils?

[TheGreatHunt]

Does he snore or breathe through his mouyh? I would insist that the doctors have a look. Poor boy.

[minipie]

Is there any chance he might be low in iron? Here's a link about 7% of toddlers are iron deficient apparently and tiredness and irritability are top symptoms. A simple blood test should check. I'd try a different doctor if I were you...

[NiceCupOfTeaAndASitDown]

I have a 17 month old who is as you describe at the moment - have you heard of development leaps? she's going through one at the moment - see here - they get very clingy and cry more as they are going through so much. could it be that? or molars?

I'm of the thinking that if your child is crying something is wrong, even if it is 'just' tiredness or feeling overwhelmed or lonely or whatever else they can't express so I try and comfort wherever possible. I can't make breakfast or dinner without DD crying to be picked up so often I give her some dried goods in a saucepan to tip all over the floor play with or carry her on my back in a sling

I really feel for you, my older son sounds similar to your younger one in terms of temperament whereas DD is usually fairly laid back in comparison and much happier. but something is up and he needs your help through it, even if it's just that he's particularly sensitive by responding to his needs you'll teach him independence and confidence in the long run