Screaming & Yelling 4 month old

[rebeccamum]

Hi, my DD is doing something very weird today. She screams and yells from the back of her throat when she's upset and when I scold her (not really scold just make a stern "NO"), she screams even more. I don't know why she's in such a bad mood today, she usually is a very happy baby.

She's been doing this sound for about a month, it sounds like argh argh and I can tell she really gets it out from the very back of her throat. Sometimes she sounds like a crow :eek: It's only today that it really bugs me because she'll scream and yell like that when she's frustrated. It's also a bad day because she's quite unsettled - difficult feed and sleep. I try to comfort and soothe her by holding and carrying her around. It helps a bit and then the noise keeps coming back. I know she's fine and not sicky and the cry is just protesting cry. I just don't understand why this suddenly happens, I usually can calm her down quite easily. Is this just a phase? Is it normal for a 4 month old baby to show such anger?

[tyler's mum]

tyler's has a very bad temper,,, she is almost 18weeks,,, and she can scream the place down:rolleyes: ,,, i can sometimes clam her down,,, in most part she is a very happy baby,,, normally has a big smile on her face,,, she has started teething since then she has been very bad temper and has screaming fits,,, has she started to teeth yet??? maybe that is whats wrong with her??? good luck:)

[Shazbutt]

Charlee does this, and she's 5 months now. I'll put her down and she'll yell this really angry cry at me just like you're describing, and then when i go over to her she'll smile and chat to me! Its like she's telling me 'get back here and play with me!'....Frustraing isn't it....Oh, and she has started to teeth as well, has 2 teeth now!

[reAllytee]

Yeah my bubs has been doing this for awhile now all you can do is try to avoid it if possible in making sure bubs gets what she wants in due time so that she isnt allowed to get frustrated IYKWIM. So even try diverting her attention when she starts by either moving her or trying a new toy or the likes.
Sometimes its just because they want your attention whether it be more hands on like cuddles or just that you play with them. Sometimes its frustration from them wanting to do more but not having the skills to do so. We found our bubs had this problem very early on as he was more alert & wanted to play rather than snooze like most bubs so maybe try some new games etc.
Another thing it could be is she is cranky from being overt tired !
They go through lots of changes in their first year with learning so much etc its like with how they learn whats going on in their environment & what motor skills they develop first, their sleep patterns change as they get older as much as their personalities. It is just a phase so try to be patient just remember though as soon as this phase finishes the next will start !!! :eek:
Oh the joys of motherhood !
Sometimes i know we all just wish they came with instruction manuals :rolleyes:

[rebeccamum]

Thanks everybody! I kind of knew it's only a phase but boy how frustratig this is :o

Tyler's mum, I'm not sure if my DD is teething (well I just can't seem to see any bit coming out of her gum so I assume no signs of teething yet). Yep, my girl is very hot tempered too, always wants to get things her own way.

Shazbutt, that exactly what my DD is doing! Everytime I put her down she cries out and wants to be picked up. I cave sometimes cos I cant stand the screaming and crying but sometimes I ignore that and try to help her to go to sleep. Honestly I dont mind carry her all the time but its tiring....I ordered a sling and it'd better arrive here soon before I lose my mind.

Ally, interesting point...I think she wants a lot of things at the moment - cuddle, play, new toys, move around etc... the problem is sometimes I don't know how to divert her attention when she's upset. I'm not good at entertaining her either :p DH's good at that but he's at work ;) Any ideas of some games to play with bub? She just started to roll over last week so I think this new development changes her a bit. Everytime she does something new, she'll be very obsessed and gets cranky very easily (not being able to do certain things).

I hope I'll survive the first 12 months. I thought the first 3 months was difficult but the rest 9 months ain't piece of cake either. :rolleyes:

[reAllytee]

Oh yeah i thought because i made it through the first 3mths all would be good & hey it was for about a month !!!! Then it all started again & i thought i was losing the plot hehe they are lucky they can smile so sweetly thats for sure !
Well at 4mths i used to have little songs i would sing to bubs which i still use as well as around that time i started "round & round the garden" not sure if you know this ? bubs didnt so much care about the start he just loved to be tickled & still does !
With her being on her tummy try & prop her up with say a rolled up towel that way she can see around her environment a bit better then just get down on the floor with her & have some toys for her to touch & play with. You can even make toys that babies love for the look or feel we got shown these at our mothers group by a CHN. You just wash an old small clear bottle like a coke buddy bottle take the label off of course :p Then partly fill with water & other bits & pieces like glitter, baubles or even buttons then super glue on the lid so bubs cant get it off. My bubs still loves his as it all swirls around & he thinks its great when he now pushes it & it rolls away & he can chase it ! I also made one without water using pasta he especially loves this as it makes soo much noise LOL typical boy :rolleyes: A big winner nowadays is pots & pans with wooden spoons i wish i had never given him these. I guess i at least know he may end up a famous drummer in a rock group hahahah !
And another goodie is using either an old pillowcase or material sewn into a little bag scrunch up some old chip packets or plastic bags. Then when its tummy time lay them down & let them hit it so it makes noise this will make them curious about it & keep touching it pulling it etc.
Seriously there is so much you can use around your home to amuse bubs saves heaps of money on buying toys that last only a moment :D
I just learnt the main you have to do is let loose ! Dont worry bubs wont condemn you for being a bad dancer or the likes they dont care just as long as they have fun with mummy !
Good luck :)

[our little treasures]

It is just the stage they are finding their voices... If it irritates you ignore it don't react. Telling her no or being stressed by it can make her do it again as it becomes a game.. My ds does it all the timwe it sounds like I am killin him.. lol But I love it!! It means he is trying different things to show he is here.. COMMUNICATING