Baby started shrieking - driving me insane...

[BlameItOnTheBogey]

Does anyone know how to handle this pls? My DS is nearly five months old and has just discovered a high pitched shriek. It's awful - sounds like a pig being slaughtered. He seems to be doing it, not because he is sad/ cross/ upset, but just because he can. It's awful and has been going on for three days now. Is this just a phase? Please tell me it will stop soon. I'm trying not to react as I think this will encourage him. He's too young to understand 'no' right?

Help!

You are right - he's doing it because he can. It is a phase and wil pass. Not reacting is the way to go - they definitely do things more if they get a reaction.

I'm currently trying to teach my 2.5 year old that whining/sulking/stropping does NOT get a response (she tried tantrums - they didn't work, much to her disgust).

Keep smiling and don't respond at all.

PS - the MN mantra will help you here. Repeat after me, "It is only a phase - this too will pass". Be warned though, if you mutter it in public too much you will get very concerned looks from old ladies.

Thanks for the reply. I needed to hear it will pass. It's only quarter to eleven and I'm already looking forward to bed time. The noise is driving me crazy. Our poor neighbours....

Shall carry on mumsnetting ignoring....

If I remember correctly, DD didn't do it for too long. Put the stereo on and sing along.

DD is 5.5mths and doing it too! I find it hilarious. DH has to put his special earplugs in as he has tinnititus.

Hi Blame

My DD was doing it from 8 to about 13 months (but normally when she was frustrated when she couldn't reach a toy/didn't like her food etc) She'd shriek so loud her whole body would shake with the impact! But she's 16 months old now and the sweetest, most placid little girl. It will pass!

How about teaching him a new trick. I can't remember the age exactly that we did this - but dh taught dds to blow rasberries and they got stuck on that for a while. It might be the lesser of two evils?

When dd1 was this age we flew to South Africa with her and she did these joyful shrieks for hours. I think the other passengers would probably have preferred it if she had cried.

I started a thread about this the other month, its awful isn't it?! My DD started at 6 months and stopped at about 7months. It drove me insane especially when DS found it funny and decided he would join in with her!