When your baby wants no-one but you it can be flattering⦠but also stifling. A lot of babies and toddlers go through a clingy stage. It mostly happens when they are between 10 and 18 months but it can start as early as six months old.
Here we talk about what separation anxiety is and how to deal with it. It happens when they get distressed and anxious when they are separated from their main carers Murray, ; AAP, They might get upset by new faces or the absence of the old ones. The intensity and timing of separation anxiety vary a lot from child to child Health Guide, Your baby might show a number of signs of separation anxiety.
They might cry when left with someone else. They might not want to play on their own. They might start waking up early or they might start having sleeping problems Psychology Today, Separation anxiety is a healthy reaction to separation and is a normal stage of development. So separation makes them feel unsafe. The good news is that this awareness is a step forward Murray, Whether it happens when you go back to work or appears as your baby showing a preference for one parent, it can be hugely upsetting.
An emotional rollercoaster for parents and babies too. You could try leaving them with someone they know well for a short time at first. Build up gradually to longer stints with people they know less well.
You could also try practising short-term separations around the house. Such as if you go to another room, talk to your baby and when you return, tell them that you are there. A little toy they love or something with your smell on it, like a scarf or jumper, might comfort clingy babies Famlii, ; NHS, Yes, we know, leaving your baby for the first time at nursery makes you want to sob like a heartbroken 18 year-old.
