[marathonmom]

My 2 yo fd was supposed to be ru'd after a 3 day visit last week. The ru has been postponed. Needless to say she doesn't have the words or language skills to express her feelings so she has been exhibiting many "frustration and confusion" behaviors, specifically screaming constantly. This is partnered with crying and tantrums but mostly it is just screaming for 2 days. This morning she woke up without a voice. I will make sure she drinks plently of liquids and remind her to rest her voice, anything else I should do?

[thelowlanders]

I don't have any advice having not been there before. Just thinking of you.... maybe it's a blessing that the voice is on leave for a bit

[zxczxcasdasd]

A "lost voice" will only come back with time and rest, aided by the absence of the abusive behavior (to the vocal cords) and the help of water. It happens because the vocal folds have become swollen from misuse/abuse/overuse and are unable to come together and vibrate normally. It's a tissue injury, like a sprained ankle.

Remember the sprained ankle analogy: you can ice it (for voice this would be the drinking water), which can aid in reducing swelling and comfort, BUT it's only by staying off of it and not re-aggravating it that the tissue will heal over a matter of days or weeks, depending on the severity. Severe or prolonged vocal abuse can result in nodes, which will hinder vocal function permanently without therapy, so I hope this screaming resolves soon. "huskiness" in the voice is not normal, it's injured cords.

I would also avoid highly acidic fluids (citrus juices, tomato based foods) while she's healing. Water is best, milk is fine too. Non-acidic juices don't hurt the voice.

Not sure how you can get a 2-yr old to stay quiet, but do your best. Also, don't encourage whispering- it's actually bad for the voice. The quietest normal speaking (non-whispering) tone is actually the healthiest, next to total vocal rest. Good luck. Poor little thing.

[marathonmom]

Lowlander, thanks for the kind words.


She does normally have a bit of a raspy voice/laugh. I wonder if she has developed nodes on her vocal cords. I will give her doctor a call tomorrow.

[shycar]

Icecream!!! I always lose my voice for the smallest things. Always been that way. Sometime when I lose my voice my throat will feel scratchy, not due to being sick, just how it feels. Icecream feels sooo good going down my throat.

[MBear]

Is she this upset because of the visits? If this is the case I would mention it to the workers involved in the case. She seems extremely affected by this. I have an almost 2yr old starting home visits after 21 months with me and it was suggested I document her behavior following visits. Needless to say after her first visit I had to hold her on my hip for almost 5 hours in order to comfort her. Otherwise she was at my legs crying.
Good luck.