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13 month old - screaming unconsolably every evening

6 replies

embean · 26/04/2012 19:30

I don't know what to do with my little girl. For the past week, every night between 5 and 6 she goes from being really sunny and happy to having a screaming fit in the space of about five minutes. We don't think it's a tiredness issue as she has either one long (2h+) or two reasonable (1h or so) naps every day and doesn't rub her eyes, yawn etc until close to bedtime (about 7:30pm). She does show some teething signs - drooling, clutching her ears and jaw, pulling her hair (she has 8 teeth already so we know the signs), and does seem to get better if we give her some Calpol. The trouble is we can't keep on giving her Calpol every day! As I say it's been about a week and there's no obvious signs of any new teeth breaking through. This is making evenings, dinnertimes, bathtimes really difficult - oddly bedtimes she happily goes straight to sleep and then sleeps through for a good 12 hours, generally without even making any stirring noises in her sleep.

What I don't get, if it's teething, is that it's every day, day after day - is that normal? Her previous teeth have come through after a couple of days, but they were all incisors, maybe these are different. It's also really strange that it's only ever at a particular time.

Is this just a phase? I know she's also frustrated about trying to walk and not quite being able to, but again, why only get grumpy at a certain time? We're tearing our hair out with this as it's draining all the life out of us - we dread it all day and then when she's in bed we're just too miserable and sorry for her to really enjoy the evening. Aside from that, we're worried about her, and what we're going to do as like I say, I don't think we should keep giving her Calpol.

Grateful for any advice on this :)

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StrangerintheHouse · 26/04/2012 19:47

Molars are probably coming which do take longer IME and are sore as its a block coming through with four corners. Also its the end of the day, she's been trying out new skills and boundaries all day, probably just a bit overwhelmed and frustrated. I remember ds was like this for a few months, now its changed to meltdown when he wakes from his nap.

Maybe have some chill out time at the end of the day. I would just reasssure her if she gets upset. Have a chat with her at bedtime and go over the good things eg she had fun on the swings and enjoyed her favourite story - don't dwell on the bad bits, its not all going to be roses.

You can give Calpol for a few days and then switch to an Ibuprofen one for a few days and back again.

embean · 26/04/2012 19:53

Ah, hadn't thought of that (swapping the two). Good thinking!

A few months??!! Confused

We try and have quiet time at the end of the day but she doesn't want to - plus this kicks in a good couple of hours before bedtime i.e. before she's had dinner or her bath. Oh well, will keep trying. Thanks for the reply :)

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candr · 26/04/2012 20:47

I feel for you, my 7m old does exactly the same thing between 6.30 and 8. He used to go down to sleep fine but now we have this battle till he is exhausted. With yours being earlier can you do something to throw the routine off for a day ie. picnic tea on the floor to distract her from what is becoming a habit? It sounds like when DS had colic - you could set your watch by him. Hope things change soon.

ShowOfHands · 26/04/2012 20:52

I was going to ask if she's on the verge of walking. 13 months is classic time for this behaviour. The bit of the brain which slowly powers down and allows them to calmly slip into sleepiness actually stays switched on with a 'walk walk walk' drive. She is probably tired and wanting to zone out but her brain's reached saturation point and is insisting she master this skill NOW. And it frustrates her. DD was exactly the same and my nearly 8mo ds did the same when starting to crawl and cruise. I anticipate he will do the same at 12/13 months when he wants to walk.

Teething doesn't help but it's classic behaviour for a baby on the verge of a developmental milestone.

ShowOfHands · 26/04/2012 20:54

That wasn't advice was it? Trying to mimic sleep inducement sometimes help. Massage, low lights, complete change of scenery. It does pass.

embean · 26/04/2012 21:20

Info and reassurance is just as welcome as advice!

:)

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