Screaming baby?

Question

How can I get my 8 month old daughter to stop screaming? She does it for no apparent reason other than wanting to be picked up and I can't hold her all the time. it is a very loud, shrill scream. She is not hurt, she just wants attention. I spend alot of time playing with her but I have other things to do too. Please help (serious answers only)!

Answer 1

My daughter is 4 months old and just started this wonderful trick too! Isn't it exciting!? She thinks that I need to hold her all the time, which I refuse to do. I spend the majority of my day playing with her, reading to her, singing songs, etc. I don't hold her all the time, but if I put her down to get something done, she does that shrill scream! AHHH!! It's pretty much driving me nuts, but I realize that it's probably because she is frustrated that she can't get around and wants to see what I'm doing. I try to talk to her or at least put her in the same room as me so she can watch me do whatever I am doing. When all else fails, I listen to her scream or put her in her crib and let her scream there. It's really hard listening to a baby cry, but that's what they do! Good luck, glad to know I'm not alone!

Answer 2

You are right. It is for attention and since she is 8 months old this is normal. She is at the attention getting stage. She can't ask you to pick her up, she can't say 'Mommy come play with me' and she has just learned that you leave her and are not always there. She has a lot of new emotions and a lot of new fears so she is expressing herself the best way she can. 8 months old, she probably just discovered she has a "voice" and although it's a shrill scream, it's something she never could do before. In 2 years she won't want you to pick her up and in 3 she won't want you to help with much, in 10 she won't want you around much and in 15 she'll hate you so I figure, you give her all you can right now! When you just can't, you just can't. Don't feel guilty and don't ask her to stop screaming because she does not understand you or that kind of request.

Answer 3

You are going to have to let her scream. She has figured out how to control you. She will stop only when she realizes that it doesn't work. If you have to, take out the vacuum cleaner and run it so you don't hear it as much. You cannot give in or you will be back where you started.

Just think, if you can't control her now, what will you do when she's a teen? You're the mother. You are in charge.

I strongly suggest you get a copy of Dr. Spock's book Baby and Child Care. It will be of tremendous help all through her childhood.

Answer 4

It is *normal* for a baby to want to be held all the time. It is how she learns and develops. Screaming increases her production of cortisol, a stress hormone even *after* she is no longer screaming. This will mean that calories she needs for growth and development will instead be used to deal with the stress. In addition, she gets the message that when she is totally dependent, the people who love her the most won't help her when she needs it. It is not good for her physically *or* emotionally.

Do you have a sling or other baby carrier? Try "slinging" her and carrying her around hands-free while you do those "other things". In addition, try to lower your standards as to the minimum that needs doing. Growing a baby is the most important job you ever will or even *could* do!!

Answer 5

You could try talking to her while you do other things. Don't raise your voice to talk to her. Just keep talking to her as if she is listening.
If you KNOW she isn't hurt, hungry, wet, or dirty, the best thing is to ignore the screaming. It might take a day or so for her to realize you are not giving in to the tantrum.
You could also wait for about 5 minutes AFTER she quits screaming to walk into the room and tell her how proud of her you are that she stopped screaming.
Soft music sometimes helps, also.
I broke a two year old from his screaming but I think your daughter is too young to try that strategy. (No, I didn't hit him.)

Answer 6

it sounds to me like she is going through separation anxiety; that and she has figured out how to get your attention. my daughter is 6 months and going through this same thing. i have learned that just talking to her sometimes helps, distracting her with a toy, or if that doesn't work, i put her in her highchair and wheel it around the house while i am doing housework, that way she can see me at all times, i can talk to her, get work done and keep some of my sanity at the same time. if you have tried everything you can think of, do go and ask your Dr. Good Luck!

Answer 7

It sounds like this child was held way to much. I have actually had to put my child in his/her crib and literally walk out of the room and shut the door. This usually occured at night, after diaper, bottle ect was checked and given. A few nights of that, the child will probably get the hint that mom isnt going to give in to every single cry.

Answer 8

Yes the screaming happens before they learn to talk. Different screams for different things. You have to get her into a good routine and settle her down so you can get your rest too and be strict about it unless she's sick.

Answer 9

my mom said its OK to take care of all her needs love her hug her and then give her some time a lone too. You can check with the Dr he helped us with my sisters child. IT screamed nite+ day till we did just was i wrote above. BUT let the Dr know too it may be something else too. star

Answer 10

My 2 year old son is doing the same thing at the moment and everybody keeps telling me its a stage. i am trying not to give into his every whim because i think that it will probably last longer if i give in. I am just trying to breathe, count to ten then go about what i have to do.

Good Luck to you and i hope it helps to know that your not the only one in this situation!!