1 Year Old Crying NonStop

Updated on February 09, 2008
S. asks from Saint Louis, MO
34 answers

For the last few days my one year old son has been crying (more like screaming) all the time. He is not even consolable. Last night he woke up three times just screaming crying. Usually, if I hold him and rock him it will calm him down but not lately. He's been crying in the morning but the time we get up until we leave. Now, even when I drop him off at the sitter's he screams and cries too. How can I get this to stop and what do you think it is from?? HELP!

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So What Happened?

Well, my son slept through the night last night and except for a couple of tantrums was really good during the evening. Guess it's just a phase? I don't think it is an ear infection as he is not acting like that is the case. I do think he had stomach issues the other night, but like I said last night was a "not so bad" night! Thanks for all your advice

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J.W.

answers from Kansas City on

S.,

As a mother of 2 11 & 14 now. My 14 year old had ear infections all of the time and we know those can be very painful. You may take him to the doctor if you haven't already to see if this may be a problem. You know with the weather so crazy it is the time when they happen.

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D.V.

answers from St. Louis on

How many teeth does he have? Could he be getting his one year molars? My son was inconsolable when his came in (way early), very similiar to what you are describing. The molars (for my kids) were much worse than the other teeth.

Also, has he been sick recently, and pulling on his ears or digging in them? The only other time my son and daughter have been that inconsolable is when they have an ear infection. Both the teething and the ear infections have caused my kids to wake up several times at night. In fact, my daughter perforated her eardrum and was very crabby, and I didn't even know she had an infection because she didn't touch her ears or complain about them, she just acted badly, crying, throwing kicking screaming tantrums.
Good luck!

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A.K.

answers from Tulsa on

My question is , is something happing at the sitter's you to not know about. Ask her if she can think of anything and also ask for a list of other parents and talk to them about this sitter.

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D.B.

answers from Kansas City on

If it just started I would check to make sure what is going on at his day care. Has he been going long.

Or has he been teething? It might be just a constant irritation of his teeth!

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L.P.

answers from Champaign on

Have you tried taking him to the doctor to get him checked for an ear infection or other medical issue? If he's crying non-stop, I think it could be something serious enough to be worth having him looked at.

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J.H.

answers from Kansas City on

Take him to the doctor right away!!!! If he's inconsolable, something's probably wrong like his tummy or he could have something broken. If children throw fits, they usually are consolable. This isn't normal behavior so I would take him in asap!!!

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R.C.

answers from Wichita on

I know you've already had lots of replies, and I don't have time to read them all, but I just wanted to ask if anyone yet has suggested the possibility of vaccine reaction. Has he had any shots recently? If it is that, don't expect your MD to acknowledge it. There's tons of info out there on this subject. I'd try mothering.com discussion board.

Even though he is better now, this is still important, as it is possible that the next round could cause a worse reaction. It can be very serious, even deadly, if ignored.

But let's just hope it was teething or something . . . .

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S.E.

answers from Springfield on

Hi. Since this is not a normal behavior for him, I would rule out illness. Ear infections are very painful and babies cry and scream when they get them. Some babies have a real problem with teething, gas is also painful, but, in any case, I would take him to his Dr. and have him checked out. If it's been a few days, it's time to call the Dr.
Good luck.
S.

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C.S.

answers from St. Louis on

Do you think he might have an ear infection?

A.S.

answers from Kansas City on

Like the pp said, maybe he's got an ear infection. Or, he could be teething.

I saw your other post about "tantrums" and how to discipline at this age. First I would rule out any underlying cause for his tantrums, such as the reasons above.

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J.H.

answers from Oklahoma City on

Having gone through something like that years ago my advice is to take that baby to a doctor for a 'reallly thorough' checkup. Something is either physically wrong (could be an interaction of medications). Diet can play a big part in this behaviour too. Please............find a good doctor. Sometimes there is terror producing activities the child is experiencing out of our sight, buat that a second story, right?

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M.E.

answers from St. Louis on

Dear S.,

Maybe there is something medical going on. When my little girl did that (at about 1 1/2), it was because she had an ear infection (but didn't have any of the usual symptoms). Also, have you checked to see if your little guy is getting any new teeth in? Good luck, I know it's h*** o* everyone!

M.

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J.M.

answers from Tulsa on

Waking up crying/screaming is not likely to be a behavioral issue. Take him to a good doctor. Make sure he/she understands how bad it has become, when it started, and what you have already tried. Having a journal of foods, activities, and anything new in his life may be helpful to the doctor. I was a mother/baby home health nurse for several years, and in my experience this kind of crying means pain.

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S.F.

answers from St. Louis on

I would definitely call your pediatrition. He could have an earache or something else. I would just keep looking for a cause for the unusual behavior.

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E.F.

answers from Rockford on

Your child may have colic or something else. It may also be teething seeing as how their teeth come in at that age. Call you doctors office and tell them what is going on they can help you.

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J.B.

answers from Springfield on

A one-year-old child that is crying this much (and is this the one who is "throwing tantrums", also?) is not in need of discipline but needs to be checked for whatever physical problem is causing him this much distress. He may be having a lot of trouble cutting teeth and has a low threshold for pain. However, there could be something else that is wrong, such as digestive problems--are his bowels moving easily, has there been any change in them recently, have you had his ears checked (a very frequent cause of pain and screaming/crying, but difficult to determine without an exam). This is something you should look into right away.

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J.W.

answers from St. Louis on

Maybe your little one is having some anxiety issues . . . I think my 8.5 month old is going through a little bit of that as well. Just reassure him that you'll be back. I'm not sure what to do exactly.

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K.G.

answers from St. Louis on

I would take him into the doctor and see if he has an ear infection. Good luck.

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J.A.

answers from St. Louis on

My 20 month old daughter went through the same symptoms a couple of weeks ago and come to find out she had a double ear infection and is also cutting her 4 incisor teeth. I would suggest getting him into the Dr. and seeing if it might not be an ear infection. Keep us posted!

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C.D.

answers from Kansas City on

Hello S.,
It's been 18 years since I had to deal with this, but your son's crying sounds very much like my experience when my son had ear infections. Have you checked his ears? He never tugged at his ears, just cryed all night. It may not be his ears, but something seems to be wrong.
C.

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C.F.

answers from St. Louis on

Hi S.... I know this is a last minute response, but I have found that when my one year old is that upset for a couple of days... he has been cutting teeth. I just give him a dose of Tylenol, and it works like magic. I talked to his DR. and he said a dose of Tylenol every night would not hurt him. I would never give it EVERY night, but it's nice to know in case you want to try it when things get tough. Good luck!! C.

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S.V.

answers from St. Louis on

S., I watch 6 kids all day long including two 1-yr-olds, two 2-yr-olds, a 5-yr-old, and a 6-yr-old. One 1-yr-old and one 2-yr-old are my own. The other 1-yr-old boy I watch has been the same way as you are describing!! His mother has been telling me that for the past 3 weeks he has woke up screaming at least 2 times each night and all day long he just screams like he is in pain and nothing helps. Well at first we though it was his one-year shots, then we thought maybe his allergies, but now we finally see a break-through (literally!)... he has a huge back tooth coming in that is just stretching the skin and won't break through! Perhaps your child is teething even if you can't see it yet. Hope this helps! -S.

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H.C.

answers from St. Joseph on

has anything changed in his eating habits, and is he going to the bathroom as often , he could be having stomach problems.
have there been any other change in his life he is not use too. some times a drastic change can cause kid to act out

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R.M.

answers from St. Louis on

Do you think he is in pain? Maybe he has an ear infection or something. I would take him to the doctor if he doesn't stop.

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R.H.

answers from Tulsa on

S., feel of his tummy is it hard or does he seems to be in pain also what about his ears? Could be either an is it like after he eats or takes bottle..could be either one R.

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K.F.

answers from St. Louis on

He might be sick. I'd take him to the doctor at least to rule it out. There's also the issue of separation anxiety -- you could nose around the Internet for advice on that. One-year-olds have a very limited repertoire for expressing themselves, and once they get going, it's hard for them to stop themselves from crying.

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P.K.

answers from Tulsa on

Good idea to get him checked out with a pediatrician. Could be ear infections or tummy trouble. If it is out of character for him and you are not able to console him, something isn't right. could be nothing, but at his age,you can't take any chances. Better to find out for sure. Could be an issue at his babysitter. Gotta rule out any health issues first though in my opinion. Good luck.

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P.W.

answers from Springfield on

S., It has been my experience, in more than one case, that when a child cries "non-stop" there is often a hidden medical problem that has not been discovered. I don't mean things like ear infections, colds, sore throats - but more unusual things for a child. I had an acquaintance whose very young child had a hernia that was causing great pain. I had a child that had bowel issues that caused many, many tears. Maybe finding a good pediatrician that is willing to look further than the normal toddler "stuff" would be helpful.

P. - mother of adult boys, grandmother of a beautiful 8 mo. granddaughter

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K.J.

answers from Wichita on

Have you contacted his doctor? It could be an ear infection or cutting teeth. The constant screaming sounds more like an ear infection.

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G.N.

answers from St. Louis on

Could he be teething, if so try and get the hylands teething tablets they worked wonders with my son. They are homepathic and dissolve in the mouth. If its an ear infection he would be tugging at his ears.

Good luck

hope he gets relief soon

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T.A.

answers from Peoria on

if it just started in the last few days..i'd watch for an ear infection..that's what happens when my 21mo old gets fussy like that and only wants his mommy and doesn't sleep well! i'd say if it keeps up i'd call his ped to see what they say...

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S.E.

answers from Bloomington on

maybe somthing is going on at the babysitters house. or maybe somthing is hurting and he cant tell u. My advise is to take him to the doctor..If he is screaming allll the time somthing is wrong

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C.S.

answers from Kansas City on

I know it's been said multiple times, but I'd check for an ear infection. both of my girls NEVER showed any of the "normal" signs...no fever, no tugging on the ear, nothing. The only signs were crying for no reason all the time, wouldn't sleep, just wanted to mommy. His hearing could be at risk, so it's always worth the trip to the dr. Good Luck!

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L.N.

answers from Lawton on

Of course, I'm thinking ear ache. Has the doctor looked him over?

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