Hi,
My son is 16 months old and has an ear piercing scream. He has a few words and is still a bit unsteady on his feet, so I definitely think he is using it because he is frustrated. But he has been doing it on and off (mainly on) since he was about 6 months and it is driving me a bit insane.
I have read a few blogs that say to ignore it as they do it to get a reaction, but it is so loud it is impossible to do that. If we are out in his buggy/trolley, I end up giving him rice cakes which gives me just enough time to whizz round the shops before it starts (about 15 mins).
I'm constantly having to make stupid like comments/jokes about it to people when they stare at us and comment on it. I'm getting sick of the disapproving looks and have overheard a few horrible remarks said about him - one man offered a bag to put over his head at the checkouts the other day. I know he was joking, but I left the supermarket in tears as I had really had it by that point.
Recently he has started to do it at play groups and soft plays too and it is starting to put me off going.
Has anyone else experienced this? Any tips would be really appreciated.
Thanks