How to handle the screaming of my infant?

Question

My son is 6 months old. Since last one week, he is screaming for most of the time. How can we handle it? Is it a common symptom in all infants?

Answer 1

Is the baby cutting teeth? Check the lower jaw in the front. They usually cut the two middle bottem teeth first. It hurts them terribly. If you have children's Tylenol, give the baby a dose. It will help with the pain.

Answer 2

Not all babies cry a lot but many do. Is the babies drawing up it's legs to it's stomach when it is crying? If yes then it's most likely has stomach issues such as gas that needs to be dealt with. If the screaming has just starting happening then you need to think about what has changed in the last week. Babies are very sensitive and pick up on parental stress.

But sometimes babies just cry. I had one that cried constantly for months. After I determined that he was physically fine often I would put him in his crib, make sure he was safe and take a break for about an hour with ear plugs as he cried his little *** off. Afterwards we both felt better about each other.

Good luck! Parenting is not easy and try not to feel bad about yourself. No matter what people may tell you, everyone goes through periods when their baby drives them crazy. If you absolutely can't handle it call a friend to watch the baby and get out of the house. Try to never take it out on your kid. You will get through this.

Answer 3

Hi! I have a 8mo. daughter, and we went through a little of this, and are still having days where she screams. My first thought was that something was seriously wrong with her, but after taking all of her clothes off (to see if something was pinching her or scratching her) and taking her temp, we realized that there was nothing immediate bothering her. It is common in infants to"discover" their voices and how loud they can go. Is your baby just screaming, or crying? If he isscreaming, I would bet it is just finding and using his voice. If he is crying, you may want to try a couple of different things. First, see when he is crying. Is he over tired? Hungry? Have you started feeding him solids yet? If not, his body may just be very hungry, and that might help. Also, with my daughter, I realized that after a couple weeks of solids on and off, she got to a point where she NEEDED her solids and part of her day. She was too hungry for it to be optional. Also consider teething. Has hegot any teeth yet? Maybe he is cutting new teeth. That would make a baby cry and scream. Try a frozen wet wash cloth for him to chew on, or any other teething ring. There are also a number of soothing gels and liquids to give to him too for teeth. We use a homeopathic liquid with camomile for soothing effects. One more idea, is to "wear" your baby. Look into getting a sling or wrap. My daughter hardly ever crys when I am wearing her. You can wear her all around the house, and even out in public. I personally love a wrap carrier. Its a little harder to use, but it seems to be more snuggly and comforting. You can go to www.thebabywearer.com to look at different carriers. I highly recommend that! Good luck! Just remember, your instincts are usually correct in helping you little one. Try different things, and never get mad at him. He is either testing his vocal cords, or something is bothering him. If there is ever a point where you are concerned about him, call you pediatritian. Oh, and I have to say, it is ok to leave you son in his crib for a little bit if you feel like you just cant take it anymore! I have done that a few times myself. It doesnt make you a bad parent, it make you a better parent for realizing you need a break and that you will be better able othelp you son when you are better! I hope this helps!

Answer 4

More than likely he is teething. At six months of age the lower central incisors are erupting. Below is a web site that has a chart that gives the approximate eruption age of the deciduous teeth. Hope it helps you during this trying time. Try to remember, it does get easier.

Try using your finger to massage his gums or a cold teething ring works well also. I have suggested (and used myself on my children) to patients to use an ice cold carrot, one large enough that it won't be broken easily. Hold it for him to teethe on; they seem to love the flavor. If he doesn't seem to settle down after attempting to massage or apply cold to the gum area, or have any relief that you can see, then you may want to consult your pediatrician. Good luck!

http://www.ada.org/public/topics/tooth_eruption.asp

Additional information: Teething can also cause an upset stomach and diarrhea.

Answer 5

It's not common for an infant to scream most of the time but it happens. The child's doctor will have more information for you. Mention this at his next check-up. It could be indigestion, but it could be something else. He might just be a crabby child (it happens.)

Answer 6

Once you have checked to see if all of his needs have been met (i.e. fed, changed, checked by the doctor, etc.) and he continues to cry try the 5 S's:

Swaddling
Side/Stomach Position
Shushing
Sucking
Swinging

At first I found the techniques somewhat different but once I tried them, they worked magnificently.

Check out this webpage. It will give you more info on each step.

http://www.biausa.org/WVirginia/crying/Calm.htm

If you don't feel comfortable with it, continue researching it. There are a few instructional videos on youtube.com as well that may help. :-)

Answer 7

If your son has started screaming out of the blue at 6 months, I'd take him to the pediatrician. Something could be wrong.

It could also be teething. Have you tried giving him infant tylenol or motrin? I also liked Hyland's teething tablets.

Answer 8

actually, i don't think a toddler screams on the terrific suited of her lungs for no reason. do not in basic terms push aside this as a issues toddlers do. look right into a risk reasons on your toddler's behaviour, is she teething, sick, etc. sure, toddlers cry, yet while this screaming has in basic terms basically began to take place then do not in basic terms think of it truly is a typical "area" "waiting it out" could actually be you're ignoring a a risk project. not all toddlers scream for no reason.

Answer 9

I'm no expert here, but it sounds like you need help. I think it's fairly common, he may have collick and will need to get checked out (it's not serious). Remember, if you get fed up it's ok to leave the baby and walk away for a little while. Just don't let it get to you and keep your cool.

Answer 10

If he's pulling at his ear or holding his ear he might have an ear infection. Other than that i would think colic. possibley indigestion... take him to the doctor and see if they can find anything abnormal in the digestive tract or anything different about the nose or ears. It's probably just something small. If he got his 6 months shots already, it could be the effect of the shots...given it was 1 week ago.