728x90
my iParenting
From Our Sponsors
e-newsletters
Sign up to receive our free weekly e-newsletters

new terms of use
new privacy policy
award-winning products
The iParenting Media Awards program helps parents find the best products for their families.
Home › Articles › Discipline › Screaming Babies and Toddlers

Screaming Babies and Toddlers

When Baby Shrills and Screeches

By Teri Brown

Pages:  1  2  3  4  

According to Hausmann, all babies have different ways of communicating how they feel. Around 8 months old, babies begin to develop their autonomy but are unable to verbalize how they feel. This can cause some babies to be frustrated and cranky, which often leads to crying and screaming. Responding to a baby's cries in a calming manner provides a sense of trust and comfort.

"Babies usually shriek as a reaction to pain, stress or a basic need," Hausmann says. "Parents should respond to their child, using a soothing voice to let her know it's OK to cry while paying attention to the nonverbal signs of discomfort."

This time can be very frustrating for a child because she is unable to fully verbalize her feelings. Using nonverbal clues to communicate can go far in easing frustration. Hausmann suggests trying to learn some simple sign language to teach your baby.

Linda Gilkerson holds a Ph.D. in early childhood education and has spent 30 years in the field of early childhood development. She is currently a professor at the Erikson Institute, a graduate school in childhood development, and one of the founders of the Fussy Baby Network, a program that serves parents who struggle with their babies' crying, sleeping or feeding concerns. She says the vocal play of a developing baby can become quite boisterous.

"Between 6 and 8 weeks, they begin to coo," Gilkerson says. "Then comes a period of vocal play from 4 to 6 months. Here they test out their vocal track and we see the beginnings of very soft sounds and very loud sounds and very high sounds and very low sounds. This may be the time when it seems like a baby is shrieking. Babies at this stage will vocalize for attention and vary their sounds, and yes, volume to draw others into interaction with them. Babies are highly social and want to be part of the family."


Pages:  1  2  3  4  

Want to see more?

Comments

Found 1 comment
Displaying all 1 comments below

Screaming Babies and Toddlers by Anonymous on 02/18/2010 08:45AM

This article is pointless. No one cares why my 20 month old is screeching. We want to know good tips or techniques to stop it.

add a comment.

Post As:
Enter your comment below:
Title
Comment Text
CAPTCHA
Please note that any comments submitted become the property of Disney Family / iParenting and can be edited and posted at our discrection.