Questioner: Tiki
Subject: screaming 9 month old triplet
Question: I have a 9 month old girl and up to now she has been fairly happy, but very dominate, a strong personality. Cat is the first born of triplets ( 7 wks early ) The last week she is screaming and crying like she is in pain from about 1pm to 3pm and several hours at night. Just been to the dr. ears and everything else was checked and she is fine. But she is inconsolable. Solid food she has no problem with not wanting bottle but will take a pacifier. Sometimes holding helps but then begins to cry, doesn’t want to be put down or the other babies to touch her or go near me. It is confusing. There seems to be no rhyme or reason. Just the pattern at which she screams. I’m at my wits end.
Answer: Dear Tiki,
Strongly encourage you to check the bedtime routine. Some babies are just more sensitive than others.
Make sure the bedtime routine is consistent and based upon the activity not the schedule. Schedules are time based and babies do not understand timing. They do however come to draw security from their routines.
I encourage parents to lower the environmental stimulation by turning off noise and lowering the lighting about an hour before bedtime. Then reading, bathing and infant massage combined with soft music. This usually does the trick.
Now you said she sounds like she is in pain. Is she getting her teeth in? Can she be cutting molars? Have you checked with your doctor? This is why I love parents teaching their babies sign language at around 4 months. It really gives babies a method to communicate and it is not too late to teach your 9 month olds!
Best Wishes!
Dr. Mary Kay Keller
Hassle Free Bedtime? Click here!
