separation anxiety

surromama6

So lately my LO has become increasingly upset when I leave him, even for a second.  If I put him in his bouncer in the kitchen and walk around the fridge to where he can't see me he will immediately start fussing.  If I put him in his play pen with a few toys and run downstairs to switch the laundry he will be screaming by the time I come back up.  He used to be okay left alone in a safe place for a little while, I don't know what has changed.  Everyone told me that baby-wearing is great for infants.  I did that for a while and then I held him a lot when he got bigger.  I'm afraid he has just grown too dependent on me holding him.  On the other hand, I have been working nights for three months now and he goes to his Aunt's or his Grandmother's for a few hours before my DH picks him up.  He was never upset to see me go until the other day.  My sister said he was fussy for a while after I left. Is anyone else going through this? I hate seeing him upset and I want him to know he is safe even if I am not there all of the time.

laurenhankey

Yes! Our LO does the same thing!  If she's in her bouncer and I walk by her and she sees me she'll start fussing.  So I usually wait until she isn't paying attention and sprint past her! hahah  Either that or I let her fuss for a minute and she usually forgets about me.  For daycare, this is a good time for a "transition" object like a stuffed animal, blankie, etc.  Something from home that is comforting to them that they can take w/ them to daycare or when they are away from you. My LO has an owl blanket that she rubs on her face when she is tired so that goes with her to daycare.

elampl

I have no advice, but we're going through this as well.  If LO sees  me, she wants to be with me and that's that.  Generally, once I'm out of the room for a few minutes she's fine and will be ok with whoever she is with or go back to playing but if she hears or sees me, she gets fussy again.   Everyone has told me that it's another phase that will pass soon enough, but I've resorted to sneaking around my house while DH is playing with her if I want to get anything done.   

aliena

My mom said keep leaving and coming back as you normally would and they will learn to trust. 

katieh1017

Going through this right now. It has gotten a little bit better recently but this morning at DC when I dropped her off I could hear her start to cry as I left the room

topaz7777

Mine too.  It's making me nuts.

acbfreire

Play pick-a-boo games that teach her that you go and come back, don't sneak out, they need to trust that you won't disappear.

 LO was like that for a week or two. I told her what I was doing, if I walked away from the room, I would sing or talk so that she could feel my presence.

Introducing a lovie also helps.

sunnydays99

We're just getting through this stage and its definitely frustrating!!  I would try making short frequent trips out of the room so that you're never gone long and she knows you're coming back. Also play peek a boo!  Ultimately as they learn object permanence it will get better so you just have to be patient and keep reinforcing that you're not gone forever!!

mommasqueak

no real advice, but some comfort in knowing you aren't alone! our LO has been this way for about 2-3 weeks now. sometimes if i just fed her, and i got her up in the living room with some toys, i can get some laundry and dishes done, then that's it for the rest of the day, she won't be independent for the rest of the day.