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Original poster

how to stop 5mth old from shrieking

37 replies

joaninha103 · 19/02/2015 20:23

DS is 5 months and has just found his voice - loudly! He shouts/squeals/shrieks at the top of his voice, constantly. He's not tired/hungry/needs nappy/windy, just likes the sound of his own voice! Trouble is, it's such an ear-splitting shriek it's giving me a thumping headache :( He doesn't understand 'no' or a tap on the cheek, or anything. He has a dummy and shouts out the side of it! At my wits end what to do. Any suggestions?

OP posts:

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Asleeponasunbeam · 19/02/2015 20:27

Learn to live with it. You've many years ahead of him doing stuff you don't like. I cannot believe you are seriously asking for advice on stopping a baby from making a noise. And 'tapping him on the cheek'?! What the fuck are you thinking? Do not do that.

RigglinJigglin · 19/02/2015 20:27

whats the thinking behind a tap on the cheek OP? Seems a little over zealous.

He's tiny and just starting to learn, get some decent ear plugs and headache tablets.

HoneyIsBeePoo · 19/02/2015 20:27

He's finding his voice!! With DD that meant months of blowing raspberries and DS it was a really annoying whingy sound. But to encourage your child to communicate is your job.

Tap on the cheek? He's trying to talk to you. And I'm really reining it in here, trust me.

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PenguinsandtheTantrumofDoom · 19/02/2015 20:29

You live with it. And you don't 'tap' someone for trying to communicate

Getting him distracted and giggling may give your ears a break though

iklboo · 19/02/2015 20:32

Tapping a five month old on the cheek for - quite naturally - finding his voice & making noises?

NerrSnerr · 19/02/2015 20:35

It's normal, you have to live with it and talk back to him. Not sure what the tapping the cheek is about.

Makemeanappledumpling · 19/02/2015 20:37

That's really silly of you- your baby is learning to communicate and is trying to get a response from you.

wtf? Tapping his cheek ?? Are you having a laugh.

I find your post disgusting. There are people who can't even have children, or who have ones with severe or learning needs, and your tapping your five month old on the cheek for finding his voice?

Shame on you.

callamia · 19/02/2015 20:39

He's not a puppy! What's the tap for?
It'll last about a week or so, and then he'll do something else. It's embarrassing in public, but he's doing what he should.

Piratesloveunderpants · 19/02/2015 20:39

DS did this and it was horrendous. All day long. Shriek, yell, shriek. It passed in about a month. He started making other sounds and doesn't ever screech any more. Ride it out, he will stop. Just ignore it.

JamesAndTheGiantBanana · 19/02/2015 20:40

There's nothing you can do to stop it other than ignore it, maybe turn your back if he does it again and again.

My middle child did it from a few weeks old she's still doing it at four it was loud like a seagull shrieking in your face. All day, every few minutes. Baby holds all the cards, nothing you can do so you just have to deal with it.

tak1ngchances · 19/02/2015 20:40

Mrscog · 19/02/2015 20:42

You chatter back to him, and possibly consider your expectations to be way way way too high.

Viewofthehills · 19/02/2015 20:52

How about trying Shh! With a finger to your lips. Whisper to him, if he copies you or goes quiet,smile at him, tell him what a good boy he is.
Try putting music on for him, hold him safely and dance with him.
Make sure that he doesn't only get ( negative ) attention when he shrieks. If none of that works come back for more advice or ask your health visitor.
Don't ever use physical punishment on a baby- there is no place for it. If you feel yourself to be so stressed that you might, then put him in the buggy and go for a walk. It never sounds so loud outside.

Ilovenannyplum · 19/02/2015 20:54

Ha, OP you must be joking, that can't be a real question?
My 6 month old shouts/blows raspberries/coo's at me all day, I think it's lovely, I would never ever ever 'tap him on the cheek' he's just trying to talk to you.
Babies do make noise you know

LetticeKnollys · 19/02/2015 21:25

Our 5 month old is doing this at the moment, I won't repeat what everyone else has said about it being part of his development but I agree with them.

Sometimes you might need him to be quiet for some reason, I just try and distract him. He likes peekaboo (can be quiet) and being bounced, he just smiles and coos then. Giving him something to fiddle with with his hands keeps him quiet for a few minutes, too. He likes his Lamaze panda rattle, Tomy eggs and his clack and slide ball, just some ideas.

But he'll have moved on before you know it, so don't over think things.

Buttwing · 19/02/2015 21:34

Oh my word what a sad thread :( why would you want to stop your baby trying to communicate with you? If this driving you mad god help you when he becomes a toddler.

FATEdestiny · 19/02/2015 21:37

If he is shouting constantly, there is something wrong.

ch1134 · 19/02/2015 21:45

I love shrieking 5 month olds! Gorgeous! Tell him how lovely he is and give him a cuddle.

GotToBeInItToWinIt · 20/02/2015 07:34

Ah I loved it when DD found her voice. I have some friends who found it really annoying in their DS and would tell him off really sharply (at about 4 months ) and I was quite shocked by it. It will pass. You can't stop him trying to communicate!

LittleLionMansMummy · 20/02/2015 08:28

It's never even occurred to me to be annoyed or embarrassed by this. You talk back, you encourage them, you tell them how clever they are for learning to 'talk'. Frankly some of the advice here (turning your back and ignoring them?!) is as bizarre as the op's question. If a baby or a young child is talking it's our job to ensure they know they're worth listening to!

WireCat · 20/02/2015 08:33

Oh my goodness. How sad.

OP are you depressed? Genuine question. It's totally normal.

He's communicating with you. Just talk back to him. You can say anything. He just wants to talk.

Messygirl · 20/02/2015 08:34

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

TheCowThatLaughs · 20/02/2015 08:41

I remember exp saying to me "can't you stop him screaming?" about baby ds. I was at a loss really though because there isn't a way of doing so that I'm aware of. It is annoying but as others have said, it's just the baby finding its voice and it's a good thing even though it doesn't sound like one!
It won't be forever

DrEllieSattler · 20/02/2015 08:59

I have some shriekers and some sireners and some raspberry blowers in my classes. They're all totally normal, beautiful noises and to be ENCOURAGED!

Mum's may feel embarrassed but that's their worry about how their baby is being perceived. NEVER tap your tiny baby for developing communication skills.

Find a mum and baby group, go to some sensory or better still, go to baby signing classes who will reassure you and teach you that your baby's voice is perfect and hopefully help you accept it.

squizita · 20/02/2015 10:52

Mine does this. It's a stage in learning to talk - control of volume and repetitive sound. In fact she's doing it now, lol!
AaaaaaaAAAAAAAaaaaa....

Most people find it cute ime!

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