5 month old screaming all the time

[Becproc23]

I’m at my wits end with my 5 month old. Screaming all the time unless he is asleep. It started when he was about 4 months old and it’s got worse. It gives both me and DH headaches. Not sure if this is a developmental stage as he finds his voice, but I’m not sure how to deal with it. It’s reduced me to tears because of the noise. Any advice on dealing with this? Please tell me this passes

Is he screaming as in he's unhappy OP or screaming because he's realised how to do it and he's playing with his voice?

If he is just vocalising then I do remember that stage being annoying but mercifully brief. My DS did it with more of a low, tired sounding whine. It was incredibly irritating. I dealt with it by lots of walks in the pram listening to loud music and podcasts.

Most of the time it’s because he’s found his voice but I also think he might be doing it to get attention, because sometimes if we pick him up, he’ll stop, and then start continuing after a while until we do something else. I feel bad, but it’s so high pitched. I’m surprised our neighbour hasn’t moved out.

Thank you, I’m glad it was brief for you. I love him to bits but it really grates after a while :(

My daughter was the same. She would scream randomly all day and it was so high pitched. I used to worry too about the neighbours. I agree they are just finding their voice and learning how to use it. I think it’s really fun for them. And now my 19 month old is a complete chatter box and her speech is extremely advanced! Not sure if there is any connection. It will get better!!!

Mine was like that. Screamed and screamed until was around 6 month old. He did have reflux. It gradually got better. It's so so hard in the thick of it though so I really do sympathise. My son is now 18 months and the happiest little soul!! It will pass I promise!! In the mean time, get as much help as possible and lots of fresh air

My twins did this and it nearly broke me. I was in tears very often. I don’t look back nostalgically at the baby stage at all!
I tried so many things. Pretty much the only thing that worked (sometimes) for us was distraction and lots of stimulation and activity.
It does pass of course, but it’s hard to endure. I hope you don’t get endless daft suggestions from people like I did - is he hungry? Does he need a nappy change? Like I hadn’t thought of those very obvious things and everything else 🙄
I really feel for you. Try to get breaks, take it in turns with dh to get out of the house, take up offers from family to have him for a few hours. We didn’t have any help from family at all and I do feel I would have felt better if I’d had a bit of a break sometimes.

If it helps my DS six months has been driving me to distraction with his vocalising recently – shouting so loudly, relentlessly. When he’s hungry/tired/dirty nappy but also when bored, happy, just because. Only stopping when picked up. But he’s just six months this week and it’s been reducing – he’s barely done it at all the last couple of days. Weaning seems to help – it’s an extra activity in the day so no more boredom, the days are jam packed. Or perhaps this is false hope because it’s SO grating and exhausting.

I can totally empathise, our DS2 was like this, didn’t matter what we did, how many visits to the GP, often OOH. The constant screaming passed when he was 7mths. A really tough time, accept any offers of help. My late MIL, was an absolute angel and helped us so much, saves our sanity. Before DS2 was born I thought perhaps we might have a third, DS1 was an absolute dream baby, so happy and contented. DS2 put pay to that, no way was there ever going to be a third. It will get easier OP, I promise

My daughter was the same, I think for her it was just cause she didn't wanna be put down, she's still a bit like that now. Sounds like that might be the case for ur son if he stops when you pick him up? Babies just like being held, makes them feel safe. All I can say is it won't last. Hang on in there!

Mine was like this and although I said I never would, I gave her a dummy. Worked brilliantly.

My DD is 6 months and making this noise. It's exhausting to listen to and I'm hoping she'll move to babbling soon...

Earache ?

Have you taken him to the GP?

Teething ?

My 8mo DD is just coming out of this horrible phase. We call it "ranting" because she really sounds like some kind of shouty, incoherent, soapbox preacher ranting about something at Hyde Park Corner.
At risk of adding to the stupid unsolicited advice you're no doubt receiving, OP, I had her in a sling a lot which helped, as did taking her outside as there was more to capture her attention. I think she's a bit understimulated inside.

Speak to health visitor. It's not normal to be suddenly doing this all day (I also have a 5mo - he is definitely moodier recently but not constant screaming) so they can rule out any health problems x

Buy really good noise blocking headphones. I bought some for my DS who works from home a d has neighbours who are very noisy. He said they completely block their row. They may save your sanity.