10 month old screams to get attention

[mommie]

my dd (nearly 10 months) has just discovered screaming to get attention (not unhappy screams, just stroppy-ish ones) and it is awkward to take her on trains, buses or to in-laws or anything. She spends 2 days a week at a nursery and may have learned it there, but it is driving me crazy! Especially since we live in a flat and our neighbours must hear the racket. Any ideas on how to avert it (apart from obviously paying her attention, which we do much of the time) and is this just a passing phase?

[chicagomum]

my ds (7 months) has been doing this for about 2 months now, he's fine in the pushchair when its moving but when its stationary he yells just as you've described. Also sometimes does it when sitting in the high chair between every mouthful. We've tried simply ignoring it but that doesn't seemed to have done the trick, so are now approaching it by saying a firm "no" (tbh this doesn't seem to be doing a lot of good either - so i'll be watching this thread to see if any pearls of wisdom appear)

[mommie]

chicagomum - we approach it in exactly the same way. a firm no, or ignore it. has no effect at all tho', as you say.

[nell12]

My first thought was "well how else do they get our attention??!"
Screaming to a 10m old is an effective way of communication, they don't have any social graces yet. Once they get older, they develop better ways of making themselves heard.
As you are giving dd plenty of attention anyway, taking away that attention when she screams will be the most effective way of telling her that you are not happy with her behaviour. Turn your head away, turn around, put her down and do something else and the second she stops screaming.. big kisses and cuddles all round!
Ignoring it is the key, but, more importantly, praising the desired behaviour is what will lead to success