Crying and Whining in a 14 Month Old Boy

You have described my life right now, except I've been dealing with it for at least 6 mos. Some days I have to put him in his crib just so I can think... and often he'll calm right down in there. I keep waiting for the day when he'll grow out of it. I'm thinking as he gets closer to 2 y/o, he is 18 mos old now. I have nothing to offer you as to when it will stop, only to say that it is going on with me too. And I mean this in a fun way, but I've taken up drinking at the end of the day :).... I'm not a big drinker, so for me that means 1/2 glass of wine. But the screaming frays ones nerves for sure! I also find that he stops screaming when he is playing outside. And mine also gets very jealous of his older sister, so that must be normal. I just think he has so much to say and can't yet and gets frustrated. Just hang in there.

I think it's just a developmental stage. My 16 mo old has grown increasingly more frustrated that her brother can do things that she can't. Like walk down stairs, or run faster. She also wants to be the center of attention, and gets jealous when I show affection to my 5 yo. Combine that with teething, ear infections, etc and I see how it's hard being a growing baby! My experience is that it will get better as they are better able to communicate. Hang in there...

I think he is old enough to say to him that if he's going to scream he will have to go to his bedroom. Then do it. He is learning to disrupt everything to get all the attention. Even kids that young need to learn to share siblings and play with them or alone some. Do you put him in his room with a baby gate up? Maybe if he has his own toys for a short time he will learn to play ( or with you ). Then go on and do whatever you need to and he will learn you aren't coming everytime he whines. He'll get over it soon if you stick to that. I wonder if your daughter could play with him some too on her own without you there, checking on them of course.

People don't whine and cry for no reason. He is under stress. (Fight-Flight-or Freeze Response: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fight-or-flight_response)
His immune system is responding to something. The easiest way to introduce an environmental perpetrator to set off an immune response is to swallow it. Immune responses can exhibit themselves as allergies, behavioral disturbances, etc. His runny nose and changed behavior tells me he is suffering from an allergy. Has a new food been introduced? Sometimes symptoms don't show up right away even though a person has been exposed to an allergen for years. Or they might have a reaction once and then not have any noticeable reactions for years after.

Here are links I suggest:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iXsW8i5L8r4&feature=re...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fRDpcWZUEiU

http://www.drkaslow.com/html/gluten-brain_connection_.html
At about the 14th paragraph down:
Before going gluten-free, students had the following difficulties/complaints:
Difficulty in finishing sentences and finding words
Delays in walking and talking
Anxiety problems, tummy aches
and other problems are listed

Sounds like the autism spectrum, doesn't it? Diet is being researched to see if it is related to autism.

Good luck!
M.D.

babysinging can help - it's very frustrating because he can't tell you how he feels or what he wants. His brain is there, but his mouth isn't. I got some books at the library and found the most used signs. They are easy for adults to pick up. He's old enough for time outs in his room for the screaming. Google may help you too - http://www.pregnantinformation.net/baby-sign-language/

I'd ask about the walking to be sure he's ok in that area. Otherwise, you have to not cave into the jealousy. Make sure he has special time for him, but you can't let his frustration rule your life.

Love and Logic is a great parenting book too - may help you both feel more in control. Good luck!

Teach him a few basic signs so he has a way to communicate with you.

This is so hard. Mine did that until abt 20 mos. Awful.