14 month old screeching for attention, tell me it's a phase!

[EddieH]

My fourteen month old son has developed a habit of making a god awful noise to attract attention to him, for then his face to soften, his voice to become nice and light and for him to wave his arm and hand towards whatever it is he wants - water, a toy, food! It's exhausting. And constant. he does babble a lot and has a few words but this is purely to get us to notice him if we're not noticing him...

Is this a normal phase that will pass? He's also teething which doesn't help his temperament.

Um, yes it's a phase. Sadly it is often quite a long one! DS is 17mo now but still often uses a loud, whining grunt to alert me to his needs. He does have quite a lot of words but can't be arsed to use them when the grunt is so effective.

So....

Me: What is it? Are you thirsty?

Me: Here is your drink. Use words to tell mummy what you want, yes?

DS: No, mummy.

...and so it goes on....

Mine too unfortunately! Not always for attention either he just screeches because he likes the sound of it.