Why does my 4m/o son wake up screaming?

Jennifer - posted on 09/27/2009

A change in the environment can do it. My example: When we put the air conditioner in our son's room for the summer, he woke up screaming and pointing at it. He was only 6 months old at the time.

Teresa - posted on 09/27/2009

Hi Hayley, bay's have a way of letting us know what is going on for them by crying and screaming, unfortunatly sometimes it can be very hard to work out exactly what that is, at four months it is very hard , I would suggest you might take him along to the baby clinic and ask for some advice there , I am sure they will have come across this before and know how to deal with it, alternatively they may suggest a visit to the Dr just to check out everything is ok at to put your mind at ease, if evrthing checks out ok it will still give you the opportunity to talk things over with some one and get the help and support you need. let me know how you get on .

Charli - posted on 09/27/2009

I still stick with nightmares. If there is no other symptoms to tell, and he cries in his sleep or semi-conscious state, I say it must be nightmares.

Brenda - posted on 09/27/2009

It can be normal at this age. Right now, they have no object permanence so waking without the parent nearby will cause them to wake and start screaming. Sometimes if they wake when they aren't ready, this happens. My four month old does it sometimes as well. We cosleep, so it only happens when he's down for a nap and I get up after he's asleep to do something. If it is during the night, he wakes and roots for me and when he does his eyes don't open at all, and I just nurse him back to sleep. However, I'm sure if he wasn't in the bed with me it would lead to the screaming fits every time, because I usually put him down for the night and if I go to put the dishes up, he'll wake screaming and crying like that. Its a little early for night terrors, so I wouldn't worry too much, just be there to comfort and love him when it happens, and as his senses mature, it will pass.

Christina - posted on 09/27/2009

haha, even with my third i played the guessing game. i felt like i was never going to understand. i finally got it and then had another, figured that one and bam, prego a year later! you can do it. all of mine were so different. i feel your "pain" ill sit here all night and tell you what i have done with all 3. you need sleep and i know its frustrating as a mom to have no clue.

Hayley - posted on 09/27/2009

Quoting Christina:

try a vibrating bouncy seat (securly strapped in) with a swaddling blanket. you cna pick one up at babies r us fairly cheap. feed it in the strap hole place your son in it and see how that works. it sounds like if you come around its movement and comfort he needs. try a white noise machine too. one with crickets, heart beats, etc. Children are unpredictable...all trial and error. although you didnt do anything wrong its simply what works and until you figure it out it is a never ending cycle. 1st kid?

Lol yeah. He is my one and only for the moment. Easy to tell ey?

Hayley - posted on 09/27/2009

Quoting Christina:

From having 3 sons (all very different children) I have asked several pediatricians and they have all said every baby has nightmares and/or are using this time to build up their lungs. Every baby cries for about 4 hours give or take for no other reason than to build up lung strength. You as the Mom knows better than anyone. If it persists then ask the pediatrician about possible acid reflux, gas , and your baby hitting the teething phase. The best teething remedy I have found are Hylands Teething Tablets. They were a blessing. Sleep for the baby and finally sleep for me!

I dont think its the lung building thing. He babbles a pleanty and practices with volume when he's awake. Its a full on scream (sorta like when i see a spider)...

Christina - posted on 09/27/2009

try a vibrating bouncy seat (securly strapped in) with a swaddling blanket. you cna pick one up at babies r us fairly cheap. feed it in the strap hole place your son in it and see how that works. it sounds like if you come around its movement and comfort he needs. try a white noise machine too. one with crickets, heart beats, etc. Children are unpredictable...all trial and error. although you didnt do anything wrong its simply what works and until you figure it out it is a never ending cycle. 1st kid?

Hayley - posted on 09/27/2009

lol He's been sleeping for a good solid 8 - 12 hours over night for two weeks now and its not hunger coz he doesnt suck or anything - he doesnt seem to suck even when he is hungry (i think its odd). He settles down if i walk around with him, He doesnt go back to sleep though. And if I sit down he cries....

Christina - posted on 09/27/2009

If your son is making the suckling noise, possibly. log your feeding schedule. mine were sleeping all the way through the night for the most part. that waking with the 3rd was acid reflux. instead of rushing to make a botttle make sure he is fully awake. thats a sure fire way of knowing its hunger. if it persists and at a loss make a list of options and go to the pediatrician. if you dont agree, ask me my input (im not a dr. but i swear ive mastered the art of predictions and making sure everyone is well rested. your sleep is important too.

Elizabeth - posted on 09/27/2009

hungry?

Christina - posted on 09/27/2009

From having 3 sons (all very different children) I have asked several pediatricians and they have all said every baby has nightmares and/or are using this time to build up their lungs. Every baby cries for about 4 hours give or take for no other reason than to build up lung strength. You as the Mom knows better than anyone. If it persists then ask the pediatrician about possible acid reflux, gas , and your baby hitting the teething phase. The best teething remedy I have found are Hylands Teething Tablets. They were a blessing. Sleep for the baby and finally sleep for me!

Hayley - posted on 09/26/2009

Quoting Christy:

maybe stomach pain from the formula (or breast milk)....is he like that during the day time too??

I dunno. He is Formula fed, has been for over a month now coz i work. He wakes up from his naps the same way though... so maybe it is that....

He's on the s26 new born formula...

Christy - posted on 09/26/2009

maybe stomach pain from the formula (or breast milk)....is he like that during the day time too??

Amber - posted on 09/26/2009

my daughter does that now and she's 3months but it's not often but infants dream at times so you may have to have a prayer over his bed at night or a cross or whatever you choose over his bed he may be having nightmares, but double check.

Hayley - posted on 09/26/2009

Quoting Mary:

It's colic... my son did that. Get those colic drops and burp plenty.

He burps fairly well and easy though. Can it still be colic?

Hayley - posted on 09/26/2009

Quoting Kirsty:

I had the same problem with my son. Maybe you could try a night light? Or he might have colic.Does he have a runny nose? or anything like that? He could have an ear infection?
He might be teething too.

He has a night light. It's part of his baby monitor :P

He has always had a bit of a snuffly nose (since he was born).

The doc said his ears are fine and I think he is teehing coz he chews on everything and his gums are hard but he's been doin it for a while... before he started teething...

Mary - posted on 09/26/2009

It's colic... my son did that. Get those colic drops and burp plenty.

Sarah - posted on 09/26/2009

Might very well be night terrors; my child had them for about 16 months after he was born and we tried evrything. one thing that did work was classical baby music very lightly but keeps them calm at night. Try it, could help you as well. I hope anyway good luck & Congrats !!!!

Kirsty - posted on 09/26/2009

I had the same problem with my son. Maybe you could try a night light? Or he might have colic.Does he have a runny nose? or anything like that? He could have an ear infection?
He might be teething too.

Shelley - posted on 09/26/2009

it could be Reflux my son did the same thing he would wake up screaming bacause his stomach contents would burn his throat as they came up. try looking at this website to see if he has any of the signs and symptoms www.cryingoverspiltmilk.co.nz. my son is 8 weeks old now and is on medication. hope this helps all the best

Charli - posted on 09/26/2009

My son used to wake up like this when he was only two and three months old. The reason was nightmares. Babies not only hear but they can also sense what their mother feels. I was in a bad situation and was abused by my (ex) boyfriend, the father. After he left, there was still stress there from having to be near him for visitation. Once he abolished all rights to my son, the nightmares stopped. If your baby is in a stressful environment, or if he feels that you are upset or worried, or any anxiety at all, this may trigger nightmares which will cause screaming at night, whether during sleep or wakefulness. I don't know how well this applies to your situation, but consider it as an option.

Stephanie - posted on 09/26/2009

Maybe he is just scared and alone when he wakes up and your not there.Try putting a burp cloth or a worn shirt or something that smells like you in the bed with him.Babies have a very sensitive sense of smell so he may wake up and feel safer thinking your there with him.I t works for me.My son is the same age and did the same thing.Now he wakes up moans a little, wiggles around then goes back to sleep.Give it a try.I hope it works for you.Good luck Hayley

Tyra - posted on 09/26/2009

Quoting Hayley:

Why does my 4m/o son wake up screaming?

My son is 4 months old and everytime he wakes up he cries and screams. He doesnt even open his eyes to show he is awake. He just screams! any suggestions?

He might have colic have you tried the baby gas drops ,one of my grandkids would do the same as your son.

Katie - posted on 09/26/2009

Night terrors? My daughter used to do that when she was around a two. Has anything in his sleep pattern changed recently, like sleeping with you or not with you anymore? Is he still feeding at night? It could be any number of things. How long has it gone on? I would say if it's happening often I would speak to his doctor.

Samantha - posted on 09/26/2009

Hi! I had this prob with my daughter. She had problems with her bladder, she was older, but maybe hes going through it young. She was able to talk enough that she didnt know who i was and kept her eyes closed. I was so frustrated with her screaming, that my mom would come over to try and help and it didnt work. I would take him to the dr, maybe he will rule out any problems with his bladder. I hope it is not that, and I hope the best for you.

Jo - posted on 09/26/2009

maybe hes not comfertable or might have to take him to a sleep clinic