Screaming - Chicago, IL

Maybe she is having trouble communicating her wants to you since she doesn't talk yet. Have you tried any baby signing with her? That worked wonders on my daughter when she was that age. It limited her frustration because she could tell me what she wanted. You can get the Baby Signs book from the library to learn more about it. There are also books for babies to look at with babies doing the signs.
Good luck:)
A.

I'd like to suggest something that has worked with my daughter who is now 14 months and that is sign language. It seems odd to many people and some say that it delays their speech but the exact opposite has occured with us. Every new sign I teach her she is taught the word as well. This gives her another way to communicate what she wants. She knows signs like food, more, play, sleep, drink, etc....

There are many great DVDs available at most libraries. I reccommend the "Signing Times" series myself.

Good Luck!!

J.

They are such smart little creatures and can comprehend SO much more than they can express. She knows what she wants but doesn't have a way to tell you. I also recommend teaching her some sign langauage. You will be amazed. There is a book and video by a man whose last name is Garcia. Check it out from the libray. Yes people will think you are crazy and that your baby won't learn to talk, but it is not true. I have taught both of my sons and it is amazing what they will be able to tell you. The only time my 15mo old get frustrated, is when he doesn't have the word or sign to tell me something. I can show him the new sign one or two times and he will remember it. We started simple, with words like eat, more, help, drink, milk, sleep. You can also just look words up on the ASL website. Start showing and telling her and she will catch on fast.

Best thing to do would be to ignore the screams and don't react. Talk to her calmy and tell her to be quiet while showing her you can do it with your voice as well.

Time outs are totally ineffective @ 11 months IMO

Also my nephew now does 6 signs at 1 year. He didnt even attempt it before then. They wanted to give up as well!

We taught my son sign language early on and we never really went through any screaming phases. Also, we are strict about sticking to our schedule. We insist on naps- if he didn't want to take one, he would ride in the car until he passed out(stroller would work now). He can eat whenever he wants but we have set times for breakfast, lunch and dinner. I don't know if either of these helped in avoiding that phase, but I find them to really help him now as he enters the two's. He can communicate his needs, hopefully avoiding tantrums and he stays rested.

It's a phase!! As hard as it is, try to ignore it. If you don't respond when she screams, she will soon discover that she needs to find a new way to get your attention and communicate.
Good luck

Hi L.,

I know how frustrating crying can be. I would avoid "time-outs" at 11 months, since it is completely wasted on her age. She doesn't understand. Since screaming is the only form of communication for her, she must be very frustrated. I would continue the talking calmly (albeit FRUSTRATING!), and making sure she is not over tired. You know all the rest. As frustrating as it is, it will pass, and you will soon see she will be able to use her words. If the screaming continues, I would make sure teeth arent' coming in or that something else isn't wrong.

Best of luck,'
JD

I had screamers as well. I will look at my daughter when she screams I calmly look at her and tell her that I can't understand her when she is 'screaming'....then I ignore her. If she tries to get my attention still with screaming, I will just repeat, I can't understand you when you are screaming (whining, etc)...so far it's worked.

Good Luck!

I agree with Cheryl. My daughter has speech delay and she still squeals a lot to indicate she wants something. I try the techniques you do, but it doesn't help much. Her speech therapy is going well and she is slowly building words, so the screaming and squealing has gone down, but it's frustrating, I know what you mean. I have also been teaching her sign language and that helps some of the frustration go away.

Keep in mind she will grow out of it once she becomes more verbal. Good luck!

I agree - it's actually a pretty short-lived phase if you ignore it. She'll find another way to get your attention if you don't respond to the screaming.

I think this is developmentally appropriate, actually. I don't think she has really any other way to tell you and so this is how she does it. I don't think an 11 month old can understand time out to be honest. I would try whispering back to her. this has worked well with my son. You have to model the behavior you want her to have, so keep at it and don't lose your cool.

It's a phase she will outgrow when she becomes more verbal. Screaming is just her way of telling you she needs something (and wants it NOW! :) ). Frustrating I know, but try to remember she is screaming because SHE is frustrated as well knowing what she wants but having trouble communicating that to you (and also when they don't understand why they can't have EVERYTHING they want). As annoying as the screaming is, it could be worse with hitting, biting, banging her head against the wall...I've seen all those types of things with kids, having worked with kids for quite a while. It's a phase that will pass. You've got several more months, so hang in there!! You are doing the right thing.

This will sound awful, but my pediatrician said it was effective and painless. Buy a spray bottle with a fine mist, fill it with room temp tap water, and gently mist her. The shouck of being sprayed breaks the screaming cycle. It works, but don't tell your friends. They'll think you are crazy!