8 month old screamer...help!

DS has started going through some sort of screaming phase. If he is being held and doesn't want to be, screams. Wants to be picked up, screams. Hungry, screams. It is at the point where I can be on the floor playing with him and he will start screaming. At first I thought is was just using his voice but it is at the point were he will do it when he is tired (understandable) not tired, pretty much when ever. To make it worse it is a very high pitched scream that really pieces your ears. I should point out that he does not appear to be in any pain when he does this. sometimes he even gives a giggle when he is done. It just seems to be some sort of random thing he does. I have though it might be for attention but because it is so often, even when I am with him, it is hard to know.

He has been a little ill over the last two weeks but is doing well now. A bit of a runny nose but other then that he is great. A very happy, active 8 month old. He started with me and now will do it with anyone. I am trying to use a firm, calm voice and tell him 'No' and 'stop' but obviously you can only do so much with a baby.

Has anyone been through something similar? Any suggestions? It is just getting really tough to handle. Two days ago I was asked to leave a shop when he started screaming :redface:.

I am at my wits end.

hehehe... ahhh yeah.. I remember that stage...

THANK GOD ITS OVER!!!!!

Don't worry - it won't last forever - but they do go through it unfortunately..

And doesn't that high pitched scream make your brain just STOP.... arghhh I hated it...

sounds to me like he's testing the waters?!?!?! Cheeky little monkey. I think you just have to keep telling him that it isn't acceptable behavior and then ignore the fact that he does it. Cohen went through a similar stage at 6mths and I would tell him, "Cohen you mustn't do that, that's naughty!!" He would just blow raspberries at me and keep doing it. I would say it again and then just ignore him after I said it the second time. I think he realised that he wasn't getting my attention and that I didn't think it was very funny (I laughed the first couple of times.....naught, I know but it WAS funny at first) and soon after he stopped.
Don't know if this helps you much but just thought I would share my experience. Hope he stops for you soon!!!

hi macca79, this is a really hard thing to deal with, i went through this with ds2 at the same age, i found teaching him baby signs realy helped, it took along time for him to use them but eventualy he did and things got alot better, i didnt use any thing in particular i just made up signs that seemed to work for me, he is now 17mths and uses the signs all the time as well as his words. i realy hope this helps as i realy feel for you and know what you are going through :hug:

HI,
DS has just turned 8 months and has started to get a little naughty, but not quite screaming as yet.

Good Luck i hope you can get through it soon!!!!!:hug::crossfingers:

Just one question what signs exactly can we start to you????