Infant Screaming Baby

Updated on June 18, 2009
S.W. asks from Elkton, MD
8 answers

My 4 month old child screams like a banshee. Is there anything I could do to stop it? Is this normal? When he is in his chair and wants to be picked up he doesn't cry just screams at the top of his lungs.

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M.L.

answers from Pittsburgh on

Aww. Could he be teething?
My baby has awful reflux and at that age I could hardly put him down to use the rr- oye!
Do you have a baby sling? That was about the only baby product that my son liked, and believe me I tried them all.
Good Luck!

More Answers

A.J.

answers from Williamsport on

Never pick up a screaming baby when you are absolutely certain they are only screaming because thy want to be held. Your mothers instinct will know. At 4 months, he's not too young to train you! Mine did that! He learned it got him nowhere and by 6 months, always stopped crying and quietly put up his hands when he REALLY wanted up, because he knew I would never refuse when he "asked nicely".

Be sure he has all his comforts, proper food, dry diaper, not sick, etc and reverse the pattern! Do NOT pick him up when he is screaming, unless he has gotten hurt-always comfort him of course for a real reason and feed him if he's hungry. But if he is screaming to be held, DO NOT PICK HIM UP! Whenever he is not screaming, be SURE to run over and cuddle, hug and hold him.

Careful, it's easy to relax and not pay attention when he's nice and quiet, but you need to teach him that when he is quiet- you pick him up.

It's also not to early to say, "no" in a firm way when he screams to be held. He will associate the vocal cue with his screaming and your NOT picking him up over the next few weeks.

Do NOT let him train you this early to respond to angry screams, you'll be SORRY in a couple of months! If you waver and quiet him sometimes by picking him up, he'll scream even longer form that point on always trying to get you to cave in.

Be strong! As soon as he stops crying, give him cuddle time and remember to carry him around a lot on your hip and include him while you do stuff to build his security.

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L.L.

answers from York on

We have an 11 month old baby and even for her as little as she is, I wait until she has calmed down and is quiet to pick her up from her crib and give her what she wants. My older children as well must have acceptable behaviour before they get what they are desiring. They can be taught that to get something they want, they will receive attention when they are asking appropriately.

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K.N.

answers from Philadelphia on

Try going into the bathroom and turning the shower on...the sound of running water used to make my little guy stop screaming!

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B.W.

answers from Erie on

Try ignoring the screaming . . . . ask him, "Do you want me to pick you up?" Then say, "Mommy, please pick me up." Pick him up and say, "Thanks, Mom, I needed that." and give him a warm hug. Just model what you want him to do. I suspect he's screaming because crying is what works for the 5 wk old.

At some point you can let him know that the little one cries because it isn't as smart as he is. He has words and he can use them instead, because he's a big brother, and he's very smart.

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A.A.

answers from Harrisburg on

HAve you tried gas drops.Its is possible that they have gas.If not talk to your Ped.They may need another formula.
Good luck.My oldest had acid reflux and screamed all the time.Don t worry somehow we survived and had 2 more.

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J.F.

answers from Philadelphia on

At 4 months old you wont teach a baby acceptable behavior, if he is screaming like that pick the baby up? Is he early teething, I would call my ped for further advice.

I just re read your info and I am confused, is this child 4 years old or 4 months? Because if the child is 4 years then I am with the woman who said he must calm down in order to be held. He may be jealous of the baby.

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A.M.

answers from Pittsburgh on

Hi S. - My daughter screamed when she was a few months old. It was her way of telling us that she did not feel well. After we contacted the ped, she advised us to switch formula & things were much better.

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