Separation anxiety from 9 week old

kaitlynn_k

im a stay at home mom with my first child- she is 9 weeks old. I have had a few times I have needed to go in to my old job for a couple of hours to finish a one time project and they have let me bring her. Tonight was the only time I couldn't and I left her with my hubby. She screamed the entire time. She screams whenever anyone else cares for her. Will I ever be able to go anywhere? I don't leave often. But now I never want to because I know both she and whoever is caring for her will have a terrible time. But if I never leave she will never be used to anyone else. Btw my husband is in med school so he is hardly ever able to be home.

pepperpup

I have the exact same issue. I'm not sure if she will just grow out of it on her own or should I force her to be with other people to get used to them.

saric83

I don't know if it's possible with your husband's schedule, so if not, maybe try this with someone else you're comfortable leaving her with.  But I would set someone else up for success by leaving her for maybe an hour or two in the morning after she's been fed.  I assume this is probably the easiest time of day for her when she's the least fussy. 

DS is often a bit fussy during the "witching hour" timeframe, which happens to coincide with when DH gets home.  But it has absolutely nothing to do with DS just not wanting anyone else to care for him or a preference for me.  I just simply know better how to chill him out when he does get fussy, and it would be happening regardless of it being me or anyone else, so with some time and practice, DH is pretty good at it too now.  But if we can help it at all, we don't leave him around that time because we're just setting someone else up to fail by handing him over when he's at his worst.  

kaitlynn_k

Good points. Thank you!

alliebsmith

My LO has been going through this phase as well, any new faces she freaks out and screams. What I've been doing is taking her to new situations (friends baby shower, BBQ, etc) and I will hold her when we first get there and hug friends and talk to them and just let her observe. Then after a little while she is more comfortable going to new people. My mom stayed with us for the first 3 weeks and then just came back to visit (a month after leaving) and my LO screamed the first day she held her but by the second day she was fine. Some babies just take a little while to warm up and you're the mama so they always want you the most. I would still bring your LO around new people and show her that you're comfortable with them and she will be too.