This is exhausting me. Advice?

Squishycheeks

DD is going through a clingy stage, and I know it's normal, but holy cow am I beat! The weird thing is that she is only super clingy when it's just me and her.

I SAH with her, and she's pretty much attached to me 24/7. Lately she's been nursing almost every hour.

When we go out, she does really good. Almost like the distraction helps her forget that I could be holding or nursing her. My mom and sisters live about 15 miles away, and have offered to watch her for me, and she does great with them. She takes great naps for them, is super happy, and has no anxiety when I leave her.

The only downside is that I have about 60 miles of driving every time I use their help because I come home to work on school. They have offered 3 days a week, but I'm feeling bad about spending the gas money. My truck gets terrible gas mileage.

I know it's good for her to get out, and we try to do something most everyday like going to the park, swimming, or playing with the neighbor's kids, and the clinginess stops for a short time.

Any advice? I'm honestly beat. DH leaves at 6 am and usually doesn't get home until DD's in bed so I can't get a break if we stay home.

les&jus

I am here only to commiserate, sorry!  I am a SAHM and am going through the same thing, only worse...DD doesn't let anyone else watch her.  She is great with DH, and like you said, she is so much more relaxed with him and less fussy and clingy.  She will sit in his lap on the couch and watch tv for an hour but won't do that with me.  Also, what doesn't help is that I live in a small condo, so we pretty much spend all day in one room.  She literally sees me at all times unless she is sleeping.  I have started putting her in her crib to play while I am in the next room (I watch her on the video monitor) until she cries for me.  I have been trying to make an effort to get out more and take a walk everyday or go to the park.  My DD has also been nursing frequently so I have been giving her more solids to keep her at bay, or wearing a crew neck shirt instead of my usual nursing tank so she isn't tempted.  Also, my DD has had an ear infection and teething for the past month.  I think that certainly has something to do with her wanting to be near me for comfort.  Perhaps your DD is in the same situation?  Is she sleeping well?