11 month old screaming so loud for no reason

[Brightxeyes]

I honestly cannot handle it anymore.
The last week or two my 11 month old has been screaming so loud my ears are ringing and I swear it's doing some kind of damage. He's even screamed so loud he's held his own ears.

He does it for everything. Because he finds it amusing. Because he's frustrated. Because I've not done his food quick enough and he's sat in his high chair for only a minute waiting.

He's never well behaved for me anyway, because I do most things.

I've tried ignoring him. But it's getting to my other half who works at home, and he's screamed back at him and told him off. He's been put in his cot so he knows it's bad (he's in there now).

What do I do?
He needs to stop. He's usually good when we take him out but he was a nightmare yesterday as I forgot his dummy so he screamed everywhere.

I can't think or talk or do anything because all he does is scream and I'm worried the neighbours are gonna think the worst. I've seen babies and kids scream but surely this isn't normal. Yes, he's teething.

 

[Brightxeyes]

My other half is shouting at him so much I'm sure a few doors down can hear.

 

[Brightxeyes]

We've agreed to put him in his cot n put twinkle twinkle cot mobile on as that is the only thing he as ever ever been happy n calm to.

N try not to look up at him when he screams n to look away til he's quiet.

I still don't think it'll work.

 

[MindUtopia]

I think it's very normal for babies this age to cry and scream. It's how they communicate. They will just cry and scream more though if they aren't able to communicate the message and feel like you're responding to him. More than likely, there is a reason and he's trying to tell you something. It's not just to be annoying. My guess is he's in pain, if he's teething. Try some calpol and teething powders and some cuddles. They also go through a separation anxiety stage at this age (normal and healthy and it's good for their development), which means even just you turning away or walking in the other room can lead to a meltdown. I would just try to work out what it is he needs and meet his needs and respond to him. He's too young to talk and tell you what he needs and he won't understand something is 'bad' if you try to punish him. They don't get that concept that young. Also, I'm sure you know this, but it's worth pointing out, kids respond to us the way we respond to them. If your partner is screaming at him and being aggressive towards him, he'll learn that the way you get someone's attention is to scream at them. So he'll just scream all the time. You might talk to your partner and help him learn to control his own anger and frustration so your LO doesn't start behaving the same way. And if it's all too much, just walk away for a minute, take a deep breath and go back in and handle it when you are ready. When my daughter was that age, it was really rough. She was teething and going through terrible separation anxiety, plus sick on top of that. I couldn't even go to the next room to get my cup of tea without her screaming and throwing herself to the floor. It's just how they are sometimes. But I tried to be as responsive as I could, rather than ignoring her (I don't think that works personally), and she eventually popped out of it after a few months, super chill and confident and happy and outgoing and lovely. You just have to ride it out and model the behaviour you want them to practice as much as you can and know it will pass.

 

[caitlyn2009]

I think is completely normal for a baby that age. Both of mine have done. Not trying to sound harsh or rude but your 11 month old does not understand the screaming is bad or why they have been put in their bed. He probably just wants your attention. Screaming back at him isn't going to help either. My suggestion is to just talk back to him in a calm quiet voice and keep him engaged. It is a phase and it will pass.

 

[MiniKiwi]

My DD was exactly the same at that age. The only time she wouldn't cry/scream at me was when she was half way up, as in, while I was picking her up. Not happy once she was up and enraged if I put her down again It was a trying time for sure. She was getting her molars.

Shouting back at a baby is never, ever going to help the situation. Punishing the baby/having time outs will not achieve anything, I promise you, they are not capable of 'learning' from it. If anything, it WILL make the situation worse. Your baby is unable to communicate effectively and is likely in pain. Putting him in his bed alone to cry is not helping him. Staying with him (seriously, get some ear plugs if it's that bad) and talking to him calmly will help him through this tough phase. He's not trying to annoy you or your OH It sounds like your OH needs some help understanding where your baby is coming from and help to manage his anger.

My DD used to like having some music on at that age, and being out for lots of short walks/trips, going to feed ducks. crawling around a sand pit etc. Something cold to chew on is nice for the teeth and medicine if he seems in a lot of pain with them. The more you cuddle and love on a baby, the faster the tough phases will go