The baby is *not* crying, just starts screaming every once in awhile. She said he does it alot in the car. Someone else's advice was maybe he is deaf and he has to scream to hear himself
The deaf suggestion makes a lot of sense. A lot of hearing impaired kids do that, including my brother when he was young.
Another reason might be to watch others jump at sudden noises. DD discovered cause & effect at 7 months one morning when she SCREAMED at the table and I immediately popped my head out of the kitchen door to see what was wrong. She saw me react and got the biggest grin on her face. 4 minutes later, she did it again. This time I just leaned against the door and told her 'THAT' wasn't going to work again. Then went back into the kitchen. Poor kid. Mommy just ignored her until she behaved better
But I'd hate to think what would have happened if I had given my little drama princess even more attn when she acted up.
For the next 12 months we had ongoing battles where she would shriek bloody murder and wanted me to react immediately. I'd withdraw from the scene or ignore her. It took a lot of patience & consistency, but I have to say, it's what's made her so much easier to live with since she was 2 1/2.
The hardest afternoon was a very hot summer day after a miserably short nap when she was about 10 months old. I went in to her and she SCREAMED in my face. I immediately turned around and walked out. Screaming & crying got louder, then softer. I told her "Mommy would return when she was quiet". As soon as I walked back in, dd screamed again at me. Out went I. Over 3 hours in an non-airconditioned 3rd floor landing doing this. We were both wrung out by emotional roller coaster.
But she didn't scream at me again that day. The next, same thing...but only 45 minutes of walking out -waiting until quiet -- then returning. The day after -- 15 minutes. Never again did it take so long - All I ever did was turn around & touch the door handle, she would quiet down immediately. She can cry all she wants, but no screaming in momma's face. I can't put up with it since my initial instinct is to make it stop immediately. I have difficulty handling loud sharp noises. I didn't get physical, or verbal with her, just left. Best way I could have handled it, imo. I didn't know what else to do
In the car, I had the rf mirror and I'd talk with her while I was driving. If she screeched, I could see she was ok -- but I'd ignore her until she settled back down. Getting upset because she was hungry or wet or tired -- that was different. This was horrible loud noises that she wanted to see mommy react -- I didn't and they only lasted a couple of try outs.