Shrieky 15mth old, my ears are ringing, how can I get it to stop?

[kettlechip]

It started at around 9 months, a horrible high pitched squeal which goes right through me. Now he does it if he's excited, frustrated, bored, or just for the hell of it.
I hate it, I can't stand it and I have constant earache from it - how to get him to stop? I'm considering putting the travel cot up in the living room and plonking him in there if the shrieking starts.

I really don't remember this phase lasting more than a couple of weeks in ds1, who has to sit there with his hands over his ears when ds2 starts, or worse, joins in.. Help!!!

kettle, I feel your pain. DS2 now 18mths has recently started doing this. I'm certain my other two never did it.

I am currently trying this method:

• say 'no screaming show me/tell me what it is you want'
• if no reaction to this then I turn my back and he soon stops
• if it is happening while I am holding him then I say 'no screaming' and put him down

I am open to other suggestions. Especially when it happens in the car, I may have to resort to earplugs. For the whole family.

I am hoping that when he can communicate better verbally it will ease off.

DS went through this phase, it got a lot better as his communication skills improved. I tried to ignore as much as possible, but it is hard! I don't think 'time out' methods would work as he's a bit young, ignoring prob best.

kettlechip, i could of wrote that myself, he screams most of the time, like a high pitched drum in your ear, i dont like taking him to friends houses because he seems worse there, i tell him that mummy will pick him up when the screaming stops, but think he seems to young to understand yet !! Hopefully this is a phase, is he having bad tantrums aswell !!

thanks everyone, it's been a bit better today. I am giving him no positive attention from it, just a firm "no" and then turning away from him. He is starting to speak more each day and ask for things so hopefully as his vocabulary improves, the shrieking will stop. I actually have bought some earplugs just in case it doesn't!!