High Pitched Scream

Emma - posted on 12/03/2009

We used to give my daughter time-outs in the car when she went through this while we were out in public. After the normal warnings we took her back to the car, strapped her in the carseat and closed the door, going just out of sight for a minute or two until she stopped the screaming. It's not always convenient if the car is a long way away but it's a lot better than having the carry-on in the middle of the restaurant/supermarket and there's no 'naughty corner' there that won't disturb other patrons!!
In summer we even had to start the car and turn on the airconditioning for her time-out!!

Cristina - posted on 12/03/2009

When my son does the same I just walk away and he gets the point, if he does it in public (because that's when they shine) I get to his height and tell him we're going out of the place but we're going straight to timeout, as soon as he hears the word timeout he most times stops. hope it helps. Never give in tho let him scream and ignore it, no matter what.

Rebekah - posted on 12/01/2009

My son has done this from birth, when excited, when mad, when very happy. No cure known here, although teaching him to communicate with signs and simple words has reduced the number of times he does it on a daily basis...

Abbie - posted on 12/01/2009

Hi, my little boy is 18 months and and also been doing the high pitched scream, we are just ignoring him, it does seem to work, however he is only doing at home not in public! Good luck xx

Danielle - posted on 11/21/2009

it depends on how old the baby is. If its not old enough to understand you theres no use telling to be him to be quiet because he probably wont listen. Use sounds and smile, although its sounds silly, your baby knows your emotions. they can sense when your stressed, so just smile at him and talk in a higher pitched voice than normal, they like the sound and tend to listen more. just keep smiling and relax, normally when your happy, there happy. If hes at thr stage where he understands you, get down to his level, look him straight in the face and dont lose eye contact. say to him "screaming like that is not aceptable, your making mummy upset. if you dont stop i will take away one of your toys and for each time you scream i will take another one. If you be good you wont have them taken or you will be rewarded by having a toy back. Also pursuading them with treats is good. it sounds like not the right thing to do but if you do it with healthy treats like strawberries, pineapple, raisins, sugar free sweets, fruit cocktail, i cant see the harm in that!

Melissa - posted on 11/19/2009

Don't feed it any attention and it will soon stop. Lila did that and when I told her to stop she would continue, now if I ignore it or say use your words it works. Good luck

Pam - posted on 11/19/2009

I have not had that,but sure it will happen. At least he is not throwing himself on the ground or hurting himself.Just pick him up and tell him to stop it. Get out of the spot he is doing it asap.... Well thats all I've got. Goodluck.

Nikki - posted on 11/19/2009

My son is doing the same thing!! I don't really think there is anything you can do?

Keri - posted on 11/17/2009

My 18 month old has little spurts like this. I think he's just testing out his voice though. But you can tell that he's just wanting some sort of reaction because he'll yell and then immediately look at me or my husband. And, of course, my husband will give him the reaction he wants. I think a lot of it has to do with the fact that he never gets daddy's attention unless he's done something wrong or makes a loud noise. We're still working on daddy...ha ha.
Hope this helps!

Carissa - posted on 11/16/2009

I have the same problem. My little girl has started screaming a high pitch scream. She will do it if she wants something or just to do it or if she is mad. I am at loss also. For me I tell her no and say use her words instead of screaming. However, she is only 18 months old so really does she understand. Someday she will though. Otherwise I dunno what to do.

Kirsty - posted on 11/16/2009

i have the same problem your not alone there

Kristina - posted on 11/16/2009

When my 18 month old daughter does this in restaurants or stores, my husband or I or any family members will remove her from that environment. She will become distracted for long enough that when we re enter, she is refreshed. I have left stores without finishing my chores because she was tantruming. When she is done, I will go back and finish,~if time allows. If not, I will return at a different time. I try to ignore it if i can. She has been a screamer since day one.

Joenette - posted on 11/16/2009

Yes, yes , yes my little one do the same and it drives me CRAZY! Help but he does it in the house.

Holli - posted on 11/05/2009

My advice would be to ignore it. If it hurts your ears use earplugs. My daughter does it in the car, cause she seems to know that we can't just leave the room! You definately can't give in to it or it will never stop. Good Luck!

Alison - posted on 11/04/2009

My lo has always liked to use the high tones. Lately it has definitely been worse. I have been told that the best thing is to ignore it.

I do remember being at a friends house when her son was going through this and I thought it was rude of her to ignore it when she had guests over. In that case, I would opt for putting the child in his/her room for a minute without getting emotional over it.

I also read a book that talked about "slow parenting", meaning putting your child's character development above the reactions of people around you (especially in public places). There is always the option of leaving the store (halfway through your groceries...).

It is your call. The only thing that is certain, is not to give the child what they want.

Mandi - posted on 10/29/2009

my 17 month old does this something and I get down to his level and tell him when he stops than mommy can help him... most of the time he stops.... if he doesnt than I just say mommy cant help you until you stop screaming and I ignore him and he normally stops within seconds. I think sometimes he does it just to see what type of reaction I will give him.

Marie - posted on 10/29/2009

Is your baby at an age where he would be testing his voice? Mine went through spurts of this. The trick over a few days is to ignore the shriek. Don't give him the satisfaction of a reaction. If you do, that's what teaches him that it's a form of communication that is okay. If you react like something is wrong (giving him attention like "oh are you hurt") he learns that shrieking gets him mommy's attention.



So... ignore the shriek. Your response, should you have one, should be as low key and as boring as you can make it. The shrieking does stop eventually.



Our little guy - now 17 months - went through 2 or 3 periods which lasted up to 2 weeks. He hasn't done it again for a while.

Jessica - posted on 10/28/2009

My daughter does the same thing. What I do is I get down at her level, hold her hands together and tell her in a firm strong voice "Do not scream" No idea if its had any effect yet but I will let you know.