Crying Baby Help?

Updated on July 30, 2011
E.M. asks from El Paso, TX
15 answers

Hi my 15 months old son cries for anything if he is hungry he will cry if he is bored he'll cry i don't know if i should get mad at him and tell him to stop or just not listen to him he doesn't even want to cry there's no tears i don't even know wat to do plz help

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B..

answers from Dallas on

At this age, he won't eat if he's not hungry. If he wants food, feed him. If he's bored, sit with him an play. He is not a toddler, and has no other way to tell you. No, you don't get mad, and you don't tell him to stop. Read S.H's response carefully, she makes many good points. This much crying, means he's unhappy. Now, you need to find out why he is unhappy.

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S.H.

answers from Honolulu on

Has he always been this way?

Teach him sign language, for babies. Look it up online.
Also, the emotions, in a child this age and even at 3 years old, are not fully developed yet. So they cannot say their feelings nor know their feelings and they don't even know the names for their feelings yet. Hence they cry.
When he gets older, you need to teach him the names for feelings, and how to say it... it is taught. Not an automatic skill.

Now, I have a friend who's baby always cried. She took her daughter to the Pediatrician. The Doctor looked the baby over very closely. It was found, that a blond hair (barely visible to the eye), was tightly wound around one of her toes. And of course, it was getting tighter and it was cutting into the skin and of course, causing pain.
The Doctor, had a hard time untangling and taking off this hair. But once removed, her baby, was a NEW happy baby. For once.

Babies, cry because they are not happy/hungry/teething/have gas/have pains/are uncomfortable/too hot/too cold etc. For any reason. Yes.
That is the ONLY way, they can, communicate.

Try to figure out your child's cues.
AND... ALSO, when tired or over-tired or over-stimulated... a baby cries, because they need to nap... or they just need quiet and they 'cry' in order to SHUT-OUT whatever is over-stimulating them. Be it noise, or people constantly in their face or talking to them or playing with them. Babies cry... as a signal, that they need something or they need something to, stop.

Also, GET the books:
"What To Expect The Toddler Years." Or the book "Your 1 Year Old" (from Amazon). And "Your 2 Year Old" also from Amazon. It is a whole series of books, for each age of a child and it is very easy to read. I merely describes what a child is like at each age and how they are changing. So you will better understand them.

15 months, is ALSO a growth-spurt period and a time of many changes... cognitively and physically. It is growing-pains, too.

Did you take your baby for his 15 month old check-up???? He will also need one at 18 months or 24 months old.

Is your baby... fed well? Is he drinking whole milk? Does he eat well? This is a growth-spurt time. They get hungrier at these times.

You said he is crying and there's no tears.... SO... is he DEHYDRATED??? If so, this is dangerous. You need to take baby to the ER.
Does he have wet diapers? Pooping normally??

Teething???

All of these things, can make a baby unhappy and uncomfortable, too.

4 moms found this helpful
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J.C.

answers from Cleveland on

E.,
It sounds like you need a break, sweetie. Who is there to help you out, so you can get some time to yourself to relax and regroup? Do you have family around that could take your son for you a few hours a week? (or more)

If you don't have family, how about a friend? If no friends, there are services available to help moms who've reached the end of their rope. Look them up online and call them.

As for your questions.....no, you definitely should not get mad at him (and that you would ask that question is what tells me you need a break). He's only 15 months. As some of the others mentioned, sign language will help greatly. He will be able to communicate with you, and won't need to cry for everything. In the meantime, until he's got some signs to use, if he starts crying, check him over thoroughly to make sure nothing is wrong physically. If you can't find anything, and he isn't wet or hungry, and you can't handle the crying, put him in a safe place - like his crib or playpen - and shut the door. Take a walk outside in the yard where you can't hear him. Take some deep breaths. When you're feeling better, go back in and take care of you son. Remember, he relies on you for everything. And you can't take care of him if you don't take care of yourself first.

Blessings to you and your little one.

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R.K.

answers from Boston on

Well at 15 months speech is hardly there. He can't say "mom I'm hungry" "mom play with me" what would you like him to do?

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M.P.

answers from Provo on

Have you ever had a moment in your life where you can't express what your feeling? That frustration that you can't say what you want to say. Or that nobody understand you?
Well that is what it's like for him 24/7. I HIGHLY suggest you start learning basic sign language. Signs like milk, water, more, thirsty, hungry, sad, and angry. This will help him start learning that he can communicate with you and the crying should happen less and less.

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E.B.

answers from Beaumont on

Don't get mad at him. Something is wrong. Troubleshoot it. Is there a neighbor or a friend that could come over and help you? Has he always done this? I'd say he's sick or teething?? Probably teething...Good luck, the little guy just doesn't feel good.

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J.T.

answers from Victoria on

thats what babies do ! the cannot comunicate so they cry to let you know when something is wrong. we have a pretty set schedule and it seems to work. wake up and eat breakfast around 7:30 am then lunch at 11 am and then nap time at 12 or 1 then snack time at 3:30pm and dinner at five thirty or six. there are play times between the meals.

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D.P.

answers from Pittsburgh on

Have you had his ears checked? IS he hungry? Is he wet? Does he want attention?

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G.T.

answers from Redding on

Work with him on his verbal skills and the crying will soon cease.

1 mom found this helpful

C.C.

answers from San Francisco on

It sounds like you're able to figure out what he wants (whether he's hungry, bored, tired, etc.). That being the case, if he's hungry or tired, you need to feed him or put him down for a nap - even when they get older, kids have a hard time dealing with life when they're hungry or tired. Even my 8 year old will still melt down if she's really tired.

If he is bored and crying, or frustrated and crying, talk to him about it. He may not be able to speak to you, but he understands a lot! Say, "Do you need something fun to do? How about if we go take a bath?" Or "Would you like to go for a walk?" "Would you like a ride in the laundry basket?" (Whatever activity you're able to supervise at that moment.) He will probably light up at the mention of an activity he likes. As he gets older and a little more able to say what he wants, you can encourage him by saying, "Mama doesn't understand when you cry - please use your words and tell me what you need!" It will take a LOT of coaching to get him to verbalize what he wants. My girls are 6 and 8 and even still I have to tell them that I'm not going to listen if they whine. It's a process that will go on and on through his childhood, so just try to be patient and realize that he will someday learn to communicate with you in a rational way - but until then... he will cry and whine to get what he needs. ;)

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M.B.

answers from Beaumont on

Do not respond to the crying. Only respond when he speaks or asks nicely.
They only do what works and you are obviously allowing this crying to work for him. Explain in a calm voice that mommy does not like crying or whining and if they do it they will have to sit in a time out spot. If you ask right you get what you want. They learn pretty quick what works. Be strong, be consistent. It will get worse before it gets better, but it will get better.

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J.T.

answers from College Station on

It sounds like the beginning of whiney behavior and that needs to be stamped out! Look at him and speak very clearly- he is old enough to understand- what would you like? I can't get it for you if you are crying/whiney. Tell me or point to what you want.
When he does, say "you would like some milk, or crackers" and hand him what it is he wants.

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J.K.

answers from Phoenix on

I wish my 15 month old would cry. If he's hungry or wants something or doesn't want something he screams! UGH! =) My other 4 cried a lot at this age. Especially at dinner time. It will get better. Hang in there!

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L.P.

answers from Pittsfield on

I think that will get better once he is able to start communicating what he wants- you could try teaching him a few sign language words, and see if that helps.
Hang in there!

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R.L.

answers from Houston on

How verbal is he? Is he able to ask for what he wants or needs? Do your notice an increase in this behavior when he is over tired? If he is crying because he needs something (hungry, diaper change etc.) then you shouldn't get mad at him. Attend to his need! Paying attention and taking care of these needs before he gets upset will help curb this behavior.

If he is crying because he is frustrated about something you need to help him learn to communicate. Babies will get frustrated, crying is one of the only ways they can communicate while they are learning.

This is also the age where they go through separation anxiety. Show him lots of love and make him feel secure. You will need to learn when to ignore the behavior and when to give him attention for it. Ignoring it when there is nothing wrong with him, will help him realize that he will not receive attention for it in that circumstance.

Know that this is completely normal and he will grow out of it!

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