to think that my friend shouldn't just let her 1yr old scream in public

[fexedmamma]

he's always been a loud baby. He screams a lot (although only in public). It's not screams of anger or upset. It's more like screaming for screaming's sake. My friend just sits there whilst everyone around whinces in pain (it's an ear-piercing pitch). This happens is resturaunts and libraries. I find it very stressful and unpleasant. Worse still, my kids (who aren't screamers) start to copy.

definitely. She should put the baby in a cupboard when he starts to scream. Or put a pillow over his head. Or maybe never go out in public with him at all.

so, what's your solution?

A WWII gasmask should do the trick, baby will be upset, you won't be stressed though.

Hmm I agree with the cupboard suggestion.

Or invest in some ear muffs.

Oh fucking hell.

What do you suggest she does, OP?

Yes you're right op. She is clearly a terrible parent who has no idea how to control her child. Please tell her she needs a roll of gafer tape. Every good parenting books suggests this. This will solve the problem quickly and effectively.

Maybe the baby just doesn't like you OP?

I totally get what you mean. Your friend could just ask her child to stop or destract them with something else so they stop screaming. I dont think there is any need to LET a child scream.

Discipline. Screaming unnecessarily is out of order IMO and the child needs to be told firmly that this is the case. What a brat! I'd not meet up with them that would stress me and DD out too...

hahahah how many 1yo babies have you successfully persuaded to stop doing something by asking them, wildworld?

I suggest you keep your distance in the future.

Nobody wants to be friends with a judgey know-it-all

What do I suggest she does?

Distract comes to mind.

Its a developmental phase and I have found that most babies can be persuaded not to do it repeatedly. Takes a bit of effort though!

Yanbu.

So it's not your fault when your children scream, but it's your friend's fault if her child screams?

Maybe you could try distracting him every time he does it? It might just not have occurred to her that it is something she could and should stop.

You're right. Gaffa tape is very effective!

Or a polite, 'please stop screaming, DC, fexedmamma is getting a little annoyed', might do the trick.

"Its a developmental phase and I have found that most babies can be persuaded not to do it repeatedly."

My kids never did it, so have they skipped an important developmental phase?

And how can a parent get them to stop?

If she just sits there smiling and ignoring him YANBU. She should try and distract him, walk him around or take him outside if its a restaurant or library.

WhatstheBuzz even at 1 years old a child is old enough to be asked to do something. Just because the child is a year old it should be allowed to scream?

coppertop - the minute my kids start copying, I tell them to stop because it's too loud and then distract them. That works.

Yet my friend just sits there and lets her son scream the whole resturaunt down.

My 1yo DD has just learnt how to do this- I try to distract her but it just feeds it to be honest.

Asking a 1 year old to kindly stop screaming...good one!

If she is doing nothing to distract him then YANBU that would drive me nuts. It is probably an attention seeking phase. Could you make some suggestions as to how she could distract him, perhaps she doesn't realise how annoying it is.