Infant pre-verbal question....

I notice lately that DS (5.5 months) is doing some kind of weird "screaming" thing, for no apparent reason?? Anyone else's baby doing this? He'll scream, sometimes at a piercing decibel level, but then carry on as if nothing's wrong. Does it mean anything??? Is he trying to communicate something?? I'm worried the little bugger's going to get a sore throat from it.
Relatedly, a book I have says at 5 mos he should be "copying" sounds I make (simple "goos" and that kind of thing) but DS is definitely NOT doing that as yet -- do we have a problem brewing or is the book rushing it???
TIA

Re: Infant pre-verbal question....

I think it's completely normal.

My DD imitated sounds around 6 months but DS just laughs at me when I say "Dada...Mama". He said Dada a few times but doesn't repeat me. He probably just realized his voice can scream that high and is just testing out his new vocals.

My friend's DD used to screetch sooooooooo loud. I thought it was the cutest thing but they said it was not fun going out to eat. Now she is a straightforward toddler who knows how to be heard!

Re: Infant pre-verbal question....

my DS started this screaming at 4 months. he did it so much in the beginning that he got 2 red spots in his eye, they were broken capilaries according to his PED He screams so much, I get headaches some times LOL

ETA we don't like taking him out to eat , he makes a scene

Message edited 2/20/2009 9:32:59 AM.

Re: Infant pre-verbal question....

My son used to do this high pitched scream as well. I don't think it's anything to worry about...I think it's just them realizing they can produce more/different sounds. As far as the imitating sounds things, (even still at almost 14 months) he doesn't always imitate me. He doesn't like to do things "on command".