Toddler is so draining. Constant screaming.

[fedupmoom]

My 22 month old DC just screams for no reason.
If he is playing he will just scream.
If he wants something he will just scream.
A toy falls ont he floor he will just scream.
He points at stuff screaming.
Shakes his head screaming.

It literally cuts through me like a knife, my ears are actually hurting from all the screaming.
I have to take paracetamol as it gives me such a head ache.

I just feel so fed up.

He wakes up multiple times a night, he refuses to sleep in his cot.

If he dosent get his own way he will just scream non stop until I give in.

He understands when I say “no” and bursts out crying.

I just find it so draining with the constant screaming and crying.

When does it get better?

I take him out multiple times a day as he isn’t so bad when we’re out but he refuses to walk a lot of the time and just wants to be picked up or pushed round in the buggy.

Any help and suggestions welcome please x

Also a big fan of this approach. Doesn’t always work but it’s helpful!

I would also recommend Loop engage earplugs. They're a lifesaver. I'm very noise sensitive and wear these nearly all the time. You can still hear but it's filtered.

I had a screamer. I used to put my hand over his mouth when he screamed and say “no” very firmly and sternly.
We would also leave somewhere interesting if screaming started.
You are sure there are no hearing issues or pain?
I found it really helped me to remember that I am the adult, that I had a stronger will than my toddler and that long term this would pay off when they were older by holding my ground and being strict. And in general it did.

Ooh and with eye contact. You need the eye contact. Somehow it makes them listen more.

Hi thanks for the support and advice

He does say some words and he has a good degree of understanding.
He understands a lot of words I say, for example when I say “clap clap” he will clap.

He definitely understands “no”.

He just wants his own way all the time.
He is obsessed with opening and closing doors and goes mad when the child lock is put on them.

I think his hearing is fine but I have noticed when he hears the vacuum or phone ringing it will scare him and make him cry and have a tantrum.

I am going to try some of the technicians suggested and see if it helps.

I definitely think he is over tired as his routine fluctuates on a daily basis.

I have tried everything to get him into a good sleep routine but nothing seems to work, he is also teething which dosent help.

xx

2 of my 3 children did/do this. My eldest did it and it was due to speech delay and my youngest does it (again delayed speech but not as bad as my eldest was delay wise)
Telling them to 'stop screaming' wont work, your child is trying to communicate with you. Learn how to communicate back with him, speaking all the time doesnt always work, try Makaton signs (a huge thing that helped with my eldest)
Telling your child 'big boys dont scream' is only going to teach him that he has to keep his emotions bottled up.

It will pass but you have to put the work in.

I picked up on something you said in your original OP

If he dosent get his own way he will just scream non stop until I give in

In my experience with my toddler who also likes to scream at the top of his lungs, if you give in, it reinforces this behaviour as your DC will know that if he screams and screams, mummy gives in.

Also agree with others, don’t say big boys don’t scream. I would calmly say “I can’t understand you? Can you use your words or point to wha you’d like”

Not saying he is but what you’ve described is pretty much what my nephew was like, turned out he was autistic. He’s now in his twenties and still needs one to one support as non verbal and unable to cope with most things. Just something to be aware of and perhaps look into if things don’t improve?

I had one of these. Was so tough and tiring. However, he is now 6 and an absolute delight! Took him until about 4 to become a reasonable human being. No advice but it will get better and he will eventually sleep!x

I'm wondering if your child is nuerodivergent. My son was like this as a toddler. He seemed relentless and it never stopped. Days upon days of screaming and crying. He was also entirely clingy all of the time. He's 9 now and the tantrums are still the same, although less crying. He's on the waiting list for asd testing.

Just wandering if you have yet come out thee other end. My toddler is like this and has been since way before 1. He is now 17 months. It is litrerly all day every day over anything. Scream for something give it to him scream because he's got it. Screams for nappies. Screams when he can't have something. Screams when he can. Screams when toys don't exactly what he wants. Just consistent all day every day. I have lived with other kids his age who have not been like this at all. He is TOUGH!!

I would ditch the cot. Just keep him in your bed at night, or get him a big floor bed in your room or next door. then you can stay with him if you’re needed. I’m a mum of 3 small boys. Cot battles aren’t worth losing sleep over.