Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

Behaviour/development

Talk to others about child development and behaviour stages here. You can find more information on our development calendar.

Flip

Original poster

HELP- screaming toddler wont stop screeching!!!

10 replies

Clarabumps · 29/04/2011 13:51

my youngest son has always been crabby but im actually reaching the end of my rope with his screaming. He's 2 yo and his speech isnt great, he says odd words but cant really tell us what he wants without screaming. apart from this though he screams for no reason- he;s in no pain, he doesnt want anything- he just walks about gurning. I peeked in his room the other day and he was lying on his bed just shouting and balling, then he'd be quiet for two seconds totally content then he'd scream again. I cant take him anywhere like out for dinner due to this screaming and its a shame as my elder son doesnt get to go anywhere nice as ds kicks off as soon as we sit to eat or do anything. He follows me around like a puppy and the minute i;m out of sight he starts screeching. Im at my wits end and i dont know what to do. I;ve tried putting him in another room when he starts screaming and walking out, ive tried ignoring it(to the point of my head bursting!)..im so tired of it and im beginning to dislike him...which is awful, he's the sweetest wee guy when he's not screaming. HELP PLEASE!!!!

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

Dalrymps · 29/04/2011 14:46

Sounds just like my ds (13mo). He's on medication for reflux but not sure if/ how much it's helping and the screeching continues...

No advice really, just interested to see what others will say..

Original poster

Clarabumps · 29/04/2011 16:35

bump!any advice out there??

OP posts:

Dalrymps · 29/04/2011 17:19

Bump

thisisyesterday · 29/04/2011 17:21

have you ever tried keeping a food diary? could be that he has an intolerance to something that is making him feel generally a bit crappy?

TheNoodlesIncident · 29/04/2011 23:29

He does this every day? Poor you, and the rest of your family. I don't know what you've tried already, but if your HCP have ruled out any physical problem (not that I know of any that would trigger this apart from those issues already suggested) then you could treat it as an annoying habit he has got into.

You could try taking him outside into the garden and joining him in a bit of screaming there, making it into a game, iykwim? Then if he starts to screech indoors, remind him that screaming is for the garden and praising mightily if/when he stops. Also positive reinforcement - praising him for being good and quiet when he isn't actually bawling (if you get a chance!). Reward and praise enthusiastically when he does talk, when he screams remind him about the right place for screaming and then ignore.

I haven't had this problem myself but this is what I would try if I did, so apologies if you have tried it all already or it has no effect...

Incidentally, if you can arrange a minder for a while, why not take your older DS out and have a treat for just the two of you - you get a well-earned break and your elder DS gets some quality time with you too.

I hope it gets better for you all soon . (You sound Scottish btw?)

Dalrymps · 30/04/2011 08:37

Clara- have you heads of cranial osteopathy? I've heard a few sessions can sometimes help an unsettled baby/lo, think of trying it myself for ds..

EllieG · 30/04/2011 08:39

Have you taken him to GP?

PegPolkadot · 30/04/2011 08:57

Sounds like my DS3- 19 months. Some days he is NEVER happy. I laugh it off and say he is god's punishment for us being greedy and having a third but it is not funny at all. I have thought of taking him to the doctor, but what do you say?

On Thursday he behaved like he was exhausted all day. Crying at the slightest thing and nothing was right for him. He has slept all night and had a 2 hour nap so was not tired.

Some days I am glad for him to go to bed but then feel guilty that he is my last child. We also decided as he was the last I wouldn't go to work so I could 'enjoy' being at home with him.

Didn't want to hijack your post - just let you know that you are not alone.

Original poster

Clarabumps · 13/05/2011 21:46

dont worry about hijacking!i need to know that im not the only one on this planet going through this. I have taken him to the doctors and they have just said he'll grow out of it. He is just wanting attention. Im still at the end of tether. no one wants to babysit him as he's such hard work.
Pegpolkadot- that is exactly like him. as though he needs a sleep no matter how much sleep he gets. Mental!!argh!
Noodles- i am indeed from scotland, west coast. Not the nicest place at the minute with all the bigotry stuff but try and stick my head in the sand at that one.
Sorry its taken me so long to reply, Laptop is powered by my hamster on a wheel. Needs replacing- badly
xxx

OP posts:

stottiecake · 13/05/2011 22:05

My ds was a screecher - ear splitting and random!! It used to really do our heads in! However it's all in the past now so hopefully it will be just a phase that will soon be over for you. I think he started around 12mo and he hasn't really done it since he was 2.

All the best x

Flip