13 months old cries all the time

[Mariati]

My 13 months old girl is crying all the time. She seems to  calm down and stop crying  when either me or my husband are with her, holding her or just around her. I'm still on maternity leave, but going back to work next month. At nights we have the same problem, she wakes up and cries, sleep, in and out ,  for almost  3 to 4 hrs. I don't know what to do, If letting her cry for an hour is the right thing,

[adgal]

I have a 14 month old who does the same from time to time.  A couple of different things come to mind.  One..teething.  My son has had a particularly hard time with both his eye teeth and first molars.  And I mean a really bad time of it.  This often causes him to wake up or just be grumpy in general.  

Another idea...overtired. My son definately gets like this when he has not napped enough during the day.  Also, not enough sleep during the day actually makes it harder for them to sleep at night.

Thirdly..normal seperation anxiety.  It's about the right age.  You don't even actually have to go anywhere.  My son wants to be literally on me all the time.  On my lap, me right next to him, etc.  If I put him down to even go to the bathroom he screams. I am working on this with constant reassurance that mommy is here.  If I go to the bathroom I talk to him loudly enough that I know he can hear me. Then as soon as I am done, I go right over and pick him up.  He is learning that although I may go away for short periods, I will never leave him.  It's improving.  But it is very normal at this age.

I feel differently about letting them cry it out at night and nap time.  I used to be very against it as well.  However, after several conversations with my pediatrician and talking to some experts in the field, it really depends on the child. Mine has a very strong personality, and sometimes it is the only thing that works.  Enough sleep is very important for them and their development.  I don't just let him scream..I go in every 15 minutes or so and stroke his back, I just don't pick him up out of the crib.  That being said, before you do that it is important to ensure there is no medical issue causing this.  I would take her to the Dr. first and have things checked.  If it is just behavioral, then you have to decide what you want to do.  A book I recommend is Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Babies.  Good luck to you, I know it's tough.

[tgtiffany]

I'm a mother of two small children 18 months and 4 months and with both of them letting them "cry it out" was not the answer for me.  I feel if a child is crying he/she needs something not just to be ignored.  What is the baby's schedule?  My children had problems burping (my son still does sometimes (4mo) ..)  He'll scream and scream for what seems like EVER and then finally spit up/throw up or burp really loudly, sometimes it's just a little tiny barely audible burp.  My daughter has also always had problems with gas.  She still at 18 months wakes up screaming, i just hold her and rub her back and stuff.  Is your daughter going to the bathroom okay and stuff?  Also, she might have seperation anxiety.  My daughter screams when she knows that she is going to bed for the night and will cry and cry and cry.  I've tried the "let her cry" it didn't work, so I just hold her and rock her till she's really sleepy then I tell her "okay we're going to get in your big girl bed now"  and she shakes her head yes and usually stays asleep.  Do you use any night lights or music/sounds when she sleeps?

[margypops]

Does she seem well in herself, is she eating okay , no tummy pains? Children do get used to being held , maybe some distraction and games, make sure she is stimulated during the day time, and not napping most of the day .Does she go to day care ?