Screamin Babies....

[KBCsMommy]

I have an 8 mo dcg. Started 2 weeks ago. Problem is she screams like a banshee at nap time!!
I mean the type of scream that sends chills up your spine and puts goose bumps on your skin!!
Is this normal? Is there anything I can do to help her be more calm?

[cheerfuldom]

I think its pretty normal for kids these days. I would imagine that this is her first time in daycare setting and a regular nap structure, am I right? Its a huge adjustment and at a sensitive time anyway when they are hitting separation anxiety. Unfortunately, trying to calm her by rocking, soothing, etc will most likely drag the whole process on even longer. Some kids are easily calmed and a few minutes is all they need but in most cases, you are just going to have to do CIO really consistently. I would make a time limit of when you need to see progress by. Don't feel guilty because there is only so much you can do. The best situation would be to have her nap in her own room so she is not disturbing the other kids, put her down for nap and don't go back in until nap is over. White noise, darkened room, no stimulation/toys/etc should help. I have one 10 month old that has been doing this for two or three months. Some days are better than others BUT she is fine with everything else except naps and she has her own room to scream in so we make it work for now. She IS getting better, its just a process of her getting enough no's and finally giving up and getting on the nap routine. I know at home they just let her get up whenever and will even play with her in the middle of the night to keep her from crying so that is making the whole thing drag on and on.

[KBCsMommy]

Shes a lovely child. Very happy. Plays well with other kids. Seperates easily from mom in the mornings. And it is her first daycare experience.
Just the nap thing is crazy! This past couple days I did put her in a darkened room. And checked on her every couple min. I dont talk to her just make sure shes ok. And I figured out real fast no comforting in the world helps her!
Im really hoping putting my foot down and some time will help.

In the meantime earplugs will be a must!!!

[cheerfuldom]

stop checking on her because even if she can't see you, she might be hearing the door open or see a little bit of light and that restarts the crying. If she is crying, you know she is alive If the crying stops, I would wait a few minutes and then check. You might also double check with the parents and see how she goes down at night. It might be something like nursing to sleep and maybe she would take a little milk in a bottle at daycare or some other replacement like that. Check your regulations just to be sure but it could be a simple fix .....maybe she has a certain lullaby CD at home that works and you can burn a copy for daycare or something.

[SandeeAR]

I have a screamer too. She has done it since I first got her at 8 weeks. She got better for a few months and then got worse than ever. Btw, she is now 16 mos. Come to find out, Mom tells me she has been letting her fall asleep with them at night and then moving her to her crib. Also, she wakes up nightly at 3-3:30 and Mom puts her in their bed. Sooooooo, until they start leaving her in her own bed to CIO, she will just be CIO here.