Squeeling 1 Year Old...

Oh My GOSH! My 11 mo. old baby does the same thing. She will just squeel then giggle or give me a huge smile. She does it in the store, in her high chair, sitting on the floor... you name it. I just respond with "really? I didn't know that." It is just a phase and I don't let it bother me. Gosh, in a grocery store I would SO rather hear happy squeels than a tantrum any day of the week, and I think many others would too.

it's a phase. our son did this (our first did not) and the doc said to ignore it. they want a reaction sometimes. your daughter will get over it. it may take a month or two. ignore others reactions and just give them a big smile. :) life is too short to worry about what other people think. good luck!

I get embarassed at bad behavior in public too, but I think people are usually pretty forgiving of babies being noisy. I don't think I ever got "looks" for the squealing. Usually people are much more sensitive to noisy toddlers. So don't worry too much about it. And when we were in a place where it was really inappropriate, distraction was really the only thing that worked. Or putting puffs in him mouth. :)

Yes my son went through this at 10 months old. It was embarrassing at the store, but you're right. You can't do anything to stop her. He outgrew it in a few weeks.

Now my son is almost 18 months, and he screams when he doesn't get what he wants reasonably quick! This is awful. He started doing it in the restaurant the other day, not as loud though as when we are at home. I am preparing myself for the day when we might have to leave at a moment's notice because of this. It's a little easier to control an 18 month old than a 12 month old, but not much.

Hang in there, people who have kids should understand. And if they don't.....oh well!

Right. It's a phase. She does it because she can! Ignore the looks.

Dont worry about what other people do or say. If your daughter is that happy, then you are doing a GREAT job. Keep it up. If you start to get embarrased, just look at your daughter and smile and think about what's really important. In fact, if some uptight @#$%^ starts to make you feel bad, squeel along. Really make them uncomfortable in a loud support of your daughters happiness. It might pass, this faze of your daughters, but let's hope the happiness lasts a really long time...

This is not "bad behaviour". It's natural for a happy baby. When you are going someplace where this is actually disruptive - like out to dinner - get a sitter. She's too young for that atmosphere.

This is also a way kids have of learning. She squeals, listens to her own voice and learns something about how her voice sounds in different locations. If you've ever taken her into a public restroom, you've likely noticed the squealing is even more fun there, because of the echo. It helps them in their language skills. The only thing you can do is start trying to teach her to do these things more quietly. It probably won't work too well right now, but can be the beginning of teaching quiet voices in public places. Otherwise, if necessary, simply get your business done as quickly as possible so you can leave with her and minimize your own embarrasment.

Greetings M.: Just a thought. The mothers that are looking at you may not be judging you for your mothering skills -- I am the mother of 5, the grandmother of several--and when I see a happy little one making noise I am taken back to when mine were small and how much I miss my grandchildren even thought I see them often.
Anyone worth thier salt knows the differance between a child in melt down and happy tones. I have a grandchild that had a melt down and was screaming at a store the other day-- why when her mother was doing her best? Daddy had left her sight and she couldn't stand it. So just please don't say something stupid like" Do you want a spanking?" What do you do when the common sence answer is NO. Hopefully you will have someone like myself that is looking at your little one with love of their own children and will tell you so.
Enjoy your child and the adventures of parenthood.

Hi , No the baby will not stop because you just say.... What I used to do is react in aclam voice and say..... hey that hurts my ears? It make the child stop and think about it..... when you are home and in a private setting . You need to do it. You need to right where the child is like you.... and show the child what is sounds like.... and ask the question.... does it hurt you ears? and then say see? thats why I dont like it. Children cant learn what they dont know..... being mothers, we have to make the children feels what we as adults feel.... they will learn.

Hi Momma-
The only people who don't like the sound of a happy baby are those who have either never had the pleasure of children or people who are grumpy and too set in their "social politeness" to realize that yes, children will make noise. It's not like you are at the Ritz in your $500 Jimmy Choo's. You are at the market, a local restaurant, etc. FAMILY PLACES. There is absolutely no reason for you to be embarrassed or to shush your daughter. If you do, she may think that happiness emotions are unacceptable in the future. This should not be and I really encourage you to not be embarrassed, but to instead take life by the horns and enjoy every little noise she makes. Perhaps if you take that squeal and start a tickle game or something, she may start that really amazing baby laughing, and that is a noise only the scroogiest of people don't love.
Good luck and enjoy your daughter. She isn't screaming or throwing a tantrum, she is happy, and she has every right to be happy when she is out with her mother. Other people shouldn't dictate her emotions or how she reacts to them, and I really encourage you to not be anything but offended by their rudeness. Ignore them and enjoy your baby girl.
-E. M