High Pitched Screaming

[sharlan]

I have had a little guy (15 mos) for about a month now that has started this horrible, high pitched screaming anytime I leave the room. It's worse than nails on a chalkboard. I'm waiting for one of my neighbors to call CPS, it's so loud.

He just started doing it on Monday and each episode can last from 2 to 15 minutes. I've tried calmly talking to him while I'm moving from room to room, doesn't help. I've tried ignoring it which makes it much worse. I've tried comforting him, but that only stops him until I put him down.

He will walk behind me screaming. He's ok if he leaves the room, but will scream if he comes back and I've moved. My house is pretty open so he can see me from just about anywhere.

He's a pretty happy guy unless I walk out of a room and he starts the screaming.

Any suggestions on how to break it?

[sharlan]

30 reads and no suggestions?

[sahm1225]

30 reads and no suggestions?

I have one of those here and the only thing that has worked is a stern NO and then ignoring her. I won't pick her up when she's screaming though. I try to comfort without holding her.

Hopefully someone else will chime in

[Leigh]

I have had kids like this, too. The only thing that really works is time. If, for example, I have to step into the garage to get something from the freezer for lunch, I tell them "I'm going to go to the garage to get the veggies-I'll be right back". Eventually, the realize that I really WILL return.

[NightOwl]

That's what I do also, announce it. If I don't tell them I'm going to a different room, one or two will start frantically running about and calling for me.

I know it's difficult to ignore a screeching cry, but he really needs to learn that it doesn't have a payoff. Right now, the payoff is you holding and comforting him or otherwise paying attention to the screaming. When he realizes there's no more payoff, there's no more attention for the screaming, it WILL subside. I've had limited success with a really stern NO and walking away, but I usually have to resort to the ignoring tactic.

The real question is can you maintain your sanity until that happens. I've had a high pitched screamer or two in the past and it was so bad that I was getting headaches and my nerves were frazzled.

[EntropyControlSpecialist]

I have had kids like this, too. The only thing that really works is time. If, for example, I have to step into the garage to get something from the freezer for lunch, I tell them "I'm going to go to the garage to get the veggies-I'll be right back". Eventually, the realize that I really WILL return.

Yes, this!

[EntropyControlSpecialist]

Maybe some of this advice is helpful? https://www.daycare.com/forum/showthread.php?t=81145

[KarenSue]

I have one of those here and the only thing that has worked is a stern NO and then ignoring her. I won't pick her up when she's screaming though. I try to comfort without holding her.

Hopefully someone else will chime in

I had one too. And I also had to be stern. Say no and please stop that. Sometimes she will still do it but stops immediately when I say no please stop that. I give no cuddles for that.

[KiwiKids]

I had a 15 month old like this. I always told the child where I was going. Waved and said "I'm back" when I came back and outright ignored the screaming because it was the same thing here, if I picked the child up it stopped immediately. It took about 3-4 weeks for the screaming to stop. By 18 months it was totally over. Very extreme separation anxiety was the cause. It was a miserable few weeks but it did end and the child is very happy and independent now.