This is harder to write about than I thought it would be but I'm a needin' some help. My Natalee seems to have developed a hypersensitivity to many noises. Clanks and crashes, deep voices, vacuums, church music, etc. Lately at church her arms just flap around and her whole body jumps when the music is playing--a couple of months ago you would find her sleeping right through it. I've always run the vacuum around her--the last few weeks it causes her to cry if no one holds her while I do it and shake but not cry if one of us holds her. Deep voices--even if one of us makes our voice go deeper--cause her to frown and sometimes cry. Clanking the plates and bowls while we empty the dishwasher terrifies her. Last night, I was getting her jammies on and changing her diaper. Her dad was in the kitchen doing something and he clanked a bowl. The minute that bowl clanked she started screaming to beat the band. She'd been perfectly happy before that, chattering away at me as I changed her, but this scream--this was the type of scream that makes you, as the mommy, want to cry. The "I'm hurt/scared" scream. The "worse than when I get my shots" scream. It was unlike anything she's ever done before. Fearing that something was poking/scratching her in her jammies, since I'd just put them on, I stripped her back down to nothing and still she screamed. I couldn't imagine that the clank had caused her that much fear, but I don't know what else it could have been. The minute that bowl clanked, her arms flew up in startle reflex and she let loose. It was truly heartbreaking for me. I finally got her calmed down and when she was over it she was over it. I put her jammies and diaper on and she chattered again on the changing table. Like nothing had happened. But something did. My 'mommy alarm' is going off but I don't know what to do.
Seeking advice...
6 comments:
Yikes! I'm sorry, no real advice here, just sorry for you. On the one hand, a part of me says they have to get used to noises, but on the other hand, such a severe and consistent response makes me wonder about her ears--has she had ear infections??
Shonya, that's what I kept saying, too. She's just gotta get used to it. I've persistently taken her to church, keep running the vacuum, etc. all the while holding her so she feels safe and learns that these noises are fine. But no luck. She's never had an infection that we know of--perhaps we should have her checked out. She doesn't tug at her ears or anything but who knows? She is teething also.
First I should tell you I don't know anything. I Googled and found this article: http://www.toddlerstoday.com/articles/your-toddlers/crash-boom-bang-6031/
I thought it had some good information. Kaitlyn is sort of the same way. She hates loud noises and wants to wear her ear phones all the time. Levi went through a phase where he covered his ears all the time. I think some people have less of a filter for loud noises then others. As for what to do about it I'm at a loss. There was a good idea in that article if you care to read it.
You could also consider seeing an audiologist. Especially if it seems like a certain range of pitches is particularly offensive to her. Do high pitched loud noises bother her or just low pitches.
Good Luck
I agree with Corin and think you are doing the right thing...you can't shelter her so just make her feel safe. Bring her around me more, I'm loud:)! Good luck!
does she scream when she is around andrea:) just kidding! you said it first andrea:) i think just play it out and see if it gets any better. maybe let her clank some dishes around and make the noises herself and she how she reacts...
What if it's her making the noise? Does it still bother her? I would take her to get her ears checked out and otherwise just keep doing what you are doing. Some kids are just more sensitive to noise than others. Poor baby girl. I hope it gets better for her soon. - Laci
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