My two and a half year old screams day and night, why?

Question

My little boy is almost two and a half and for some reason he screams really loud and mostly all the time. He even wakes up most nights 2 - 3 times and he screams. It is really taking its toll on me as most of my discipline tactics are not working. I am planning to have another baby soon but Im afraid that dream is about to go down the tubes because I don't think I would cope. Other than the screaming I am coping with everything else ok. My whole houshold is at their wits end. Does anyone else share my pain?

Answer 1

Screaming day and night is NOT normal. Tantrums, yes, but they are short lived. Talk to the pedicatrician about it. m

Answer 2

I'm working with toddlers every day and once there was a girl screaming all the time. Her mom brought her to the doc. She had a health problem which got fixed.
I also know a family who has a rocking chair and mom and dad do read stories in that chair before bed time.
And finally the last advice, relaxing music. Helps most of the kids.
Good luck!

Answer 3

First, see a pediatrician and be sure that it is not medical. For example, small deaf children will tend to scream because they cannot hear themselves.

Second, let's assume it is not medical. Let's assume that it is psychological. Your child may find this the only way to get a reaction from you. Children want attention, they will get it any way they can as fast as they can. They don't necessarily care whether the attention is good or bad... they just want attention. For example, when I am speaking to my wife and we have not looked at the baby for about 30 seconds, he let's out an earpiercing shriek. He sees me as taking away his mother. I am competition, not Dad. The solution is an easy one. Reward good behavior with attention, and punish bad behavior by taking away attention (Ignore it... or time out... whatever).

Third, another case may be lack of sleep due to "Night Terrors". No one knows what babies dream of. But sometimes those little ones get a nasty nightmare that can last for months (or God forbid, years). My first born had night terrors for 6 months. He would scream and cry at night. This was followed by being irritable during the day that usually included screaming. Solution, wait it out. Cuddle, snuggle, kiss, hug, and console... all night long. It stinks, but you will probably sacrifice more than one night to ensure years of good sleep.

Answer 4

Ok, maybe this isn't the same, but I'm going to tell you about what happened to us...
My son, who just turned 3 started having night terrors (where he would wake in the middle of the night and scream and kick and fight..he appeared to be awake, but was actually sound asleep.) This started when we moved into our new house, which is not exactly new, it is 170 years old. Anyways, I don't think it had anything to do with the house, I just had to throw that in. ;) We were to the point where we didn't know what to do. I was actually starting to get a bit scared for him. I was telling my cousin about what was going on, and she said she had heard of this. The next day she asked me how my son slept. I surprisingly said, He didn't wake AT ALL! This was a shock, b/c it was the first in over a month that he had slept through the night without screaming. She just said, good then it worked. She said that she had read all about this and that you should pray for 5 nights to God that the terrors stop and your child be able to be calm and peaceful. We have been praying every night now, for much longer then 5 nights and the terrors have stopped! Every now and then he wakes in the middle of the night and kind of whines b/c he wants one of us, but no Terrors! I know, sounds crazy, but if you are like me, anything is worth giving a try.

Best of luck to you!

Answer 5

I know this sounds pretty obvious but have you had him checked for ear infections? If there is no medical reason for it it may be that you will have to find a way to tire your son out through the day. Don't let him have afternoon naps and keep him occupied with a variety of toys and activities, with any luck he'll get so exhausted he'll just crash at the end of the day. It could just be an age thing as well, my niece is nearly two and she is getting worse with her tantrums and screaming, maybe thats why they call it the "terrible twos" :)

Answer 6

My son has kind of been doing the same thing...but not that extreme. I think mine is just wanting more mommy and daddy, and he says he's scared of being alone, which he is totally demonstrating, won't be alone at all. But it sounds like he needs to go to a dr. for some ear checks or something...maybe cause of not hearing or because (from our own experience here) that laying down causes lots of pressure in ears and it might hurt him. Discipline isn't going to help. I've too tried this with my son too and we both just get frustrated. Then it is no fun for anyone. I would hold off on the other baby thing til this gets resolved cause it may get worse before it gets better, in any direction your resolution comes from.

Definently go to his doctor though, see what they say.

Sorry everything sucks so bad for you, I can totally relate...we're going on 1 1/2 months now, but it's getting better, a bit.

**One more thing...I read this online while researching for myself (About my son being scared by himself)...try setting up a bed beside your bed....tell your son that if he gets scared or whatever, to sneak, even tiptoe into your room and lay down and sleep there. But not to wake you up, because Mommy will be upset if you wake her up. See if that works. Eventually he'll be comfy enough to sleep a whole night in his room. He'll only be this age once, and this too shall pass. :)

Answer 7

No, sorry! Whole household? Maybe he's not getting enough Mommy time. There's lots of expert advice out there on what to do. Try Parenting magazines. I wish I could offer some helpful personal advice but I just did not allow my toddlers to have out of control temper tantrums. It really sounds like he's just batting for your attention. You know what they say: Any attention is better than no attention. He'd rather you yell or do whatever it is you do, than feel like he's being ignored. Good luck!

Answer 8

Well, I do know that all kids go through a period of yelling. It's honestly an attempt to sort out volume control. Is he just yelling "aaaahhh aaaahhh" or is he using an extremely loud voice, but is expressing words?

You didn't say if he was verbal yet or not, he might not be able to express himself. You didn't say if you've taken him to the doctor, had his hearing examined, so that may be it.

Answer 9

The first thing that pops into my mind about him screaming at night is night terrors and from what I remember from my boss's son it was about that age he started to have night terrors. I'd ask your doctor and have him checked out... good luck

Answer 10

I would consult my Dr. ASAP. Screaming like this a sign of Autism. Get it checked out soon.