Whats' the best way to deal with a 12 month old that will not stop screaming?

Question

My 12 month old son just got over the stomach and flu and now he's an inconsolable brat! He throws an absolute fit if I am not holding him. I can't get him to play with his toys or anything. He's so whiny and clingy. I just put him in his crib and let him cry it out. But sometimes he doesn't stop and gets himself too worked up. Do you think he still isn't feeling well or is this the start of a major behavioral problem? Help!

Answer 1

He's probably not fully recovered from the flu. When you get the flu, it often stays a few days then disappears then returns for a day or two. He might still be feeling a little ill.

Answer 2

When you say "just got over" the flu, is that like today is the first day he's feeling better or has it been a bit longer? I think the best way to eradicate unwanted behavior is praising good behavior and ignoring bad behavior. Just saying "If this is how you are going to behave, I am not paying any attention to it. If you want to be quiet and nice, then come sit by me" and mean it. They usually try it out to see how serious you are, but when they come sit next to you nicely and quietly awaiting approval, give it by the boatload! If he starts again, just put him down and say, "nope, this is not what I told you. Go play until you can be quiet and nice". Kids aren't stupid.

Answer 3

This happened to us when our son broke his leg at age 2. Up until then, we had done great; eating only at the table, sleeping in his own bed, etc. Well, once he had that lower body cast on, all that went the H**L. He couldn't even sit up in a chair, so he had to eat laying on his tummy only finger foods like crackers, etc. Needless to say, he became quite spoiled during that time.

Anyway, it sounds like you're doing the right thing. The only thing I would do is make sure that he doesn't have a temperature or anything, and that his environment is safe so that he's not likely to hurt himself if he throws a full-out fit. Then, just go about your business. Ignore the screaming. It will get worse before it gets better. If you just can't take the sound, simply leave the room rather than putting him in another room. Even this little bit is a form of attention that feeds his behavior. As soon as he gets quiet and starts entertaining himself or whatever, give him a little look or a hug or a kiss. He will eventually get over this.

God bless!

Answer 4

Don't fret! It's not the start of a major behavioral problem.
It's true that he might not be feeling well, but if he's not showing any symptoms....
It's more than likely that he got used to the attention he received when he was sick. If you're like me, you hold your precious one more than usual when he/she isn't feeling well, catering to their whims and forgiving their whines, etc. When my son was younger, he had a lot of ear infections and we went through this after each one. As long as your child's getting his/her dose of loving attention, hugs, and kisses, then you're doing the right thing by not giving in to his screams (a ploy for attention). The more often you do give in, the longer it'll take him to remember that YOU are in control of the situation and that his screaming is not going to get him what he wants. It's tough sometimes, but you've got to wait out the screams. In time, the screaming fits will get shorter until they are few and far between. Just make it clear that you will not accept that behavior and remember to repsond positively to the things that he does instead of screaming (like waiting patiently, asking nicely, saying please, going to bed easily, etc).
Good luck!

Answer 5

well im the mother of a 22month old and she is at a stage now where she screams her head of if i don't pick her up she wont play with her toys infact she wont even let me leave the room without running after me and screaming,so how i get over that is theres a little thing i learnt from my mum who has had 8 CHILDREN she suggested to me that distraction is the best way to calm a kid down. when he's starts screaming try to remain calm if u can and just say something like "ok lets go over here and help mummy with dishes or something lol" or show him some new things from the kitchen like pots and pans he can bash on with a wooden spoon, or take him outside to play, kids love going outside.if my daughter has a fit i just sometimes act like her and she starts laughing.then she forgets all about it in a few mins..

Answer 6

before each and every thing he's 365 days a million year he's not to previous for day vacation he can move there for a million min! a baby must be hit or see hitting to entice close a thanks to hit if it rather is wise. Do you spank him? does the toddler sitter spank him or does the toddler sitter spank different little ones round him? at the same time as he bites him self tell him that it really is biting and its incorrect your words are extra helpful then something also at the same time as he screams what do you do? Do you tell him to end? Do you yell decrease back? one ingredient that i got here upon help complete (oh yeah I have 4 little ones and my first one acted like yours does) is to stroll away do not practice him any interest in any respect at the same time as he screams stroll in to a distinct room or positioned him in yet another room ascertain you may't be seen or heard this is going to likely be not difficulty-free in spite of the indisputable fact that this is going to paintings you in simple terms ought to proceed to exist it you ought to be incontrole there is not something incorrect with him or you. you're nonetheless a sturdy mom. God Bless

Answer 7

Ms. Marcella, PLEASE find someone to "give you a break" for a little while. I know how frustrated you must be(I have a 2yr.old) You really need some time for yourself to decompress! A trusted neighbor, family member, or friend. Even if it is only for 20 minutes!

When a child that young gets that kind of ill, it is scary and YOU are his "safe place". Give him some time to feel better. If after a while he is still "clingy" and such, keep a journal of his daily events and routines to see if there is a pattern to his behavior. Then, you can redirect him, or change the routine that is bringing on the tantrums or behaviors.

Just get someone to give you a "time out" now and then!

Good Luck to you!

Answer 8

He sounds like he still is not feeling well.

Why not carry him a little each day? If you have a sling put him in it. Slowly, put him down and sit by him and play with him with his toys. Sit him in your lap and then move him on the floor by you. Move farther and farther away until he is playing by himself. It may take a day or two before he goes back into his old patterns. Be patient with him.

At his age, the only way he can communicate with you is by crying, laughing, screaming etc. He is telling you he needs you. You are not spoiling him by taking care of him. He may become clingier if you do not attend to him.

Answer 9

Have you given him all of his medicine? Did they give him any thing for the stomach flu? He's still a baby and he might be still hurting. This is one of the problems that a parent has to deal with. Try to be as loving and patience as you can. If if gets to hard, ask someone to take over while you take a breather. He's still a baby and cannot express what is going on in his body.

Answer 10

If your baby didn't scream like this before getting sick and getting lots of attention, he probably did get a little spoiled. There is a chance that he is still not feeling well, I would take that into consideration first. If he seems to be fine and has been declared healthy by his doctor and is still screaming, you just need to let him scream in his crib. It is hard to let your little one wail for an extended period of time, believe me I know. You have to show him that screaming and whining only gets him alone time in his room. It won't take him long before he realizes that screaming alone in his room sucks and he will stop.
If you really want to nip it in the bud this is what I did when my daughter started screaming (not crying) because she didn't get what she wanted at only 6mo old: I made the same exact scream back at her, which she did not like, and it made her start crying. She realized that screaming only got her a negative result and now at 18 months old, I haven't had any problems with her screaming, even when she doesn't get her way or she is really tired/hungry. It took a few sessions of screaming to get her to understand that screaming is not a proper way to behave. Most people think this is a really mean way to teach your child not to scream, but I haven't had to worry about her throwing any fits in the past year, I think that speaks for itself.