Baby hates leaving home, need help!

les&jus · December 2009

My DD absolutely hates being at someone else's house. She does pretty good in her carseat if we are in the car or at the grocery store, but if we take her out at my parent's house or someone else's, she starts to cry unconsolably. She looks around franticly as if she recognizes that where she is isn't home. Most of the time, I can't even get her to calm down - she just ends up falling asleep after wearing herself out from crying. At home, however, she is an absolute joy. Very happy all day long.

So, does anyone have any advice for me? I am dreading the holidays as we have parties and the like to attend. She was a terror all Thanksgiving day!

les&jus · December 2009

Also, I just wanted to add that I am not even that much of an APer! We don't bedshare, I don't wear her too often, in fact, I give her lots of alone time with her toys. So, it doesn't seem like it is an attachment issue.

BohoIslandBaby · December 2009

I don't know if this will help or not, but when we go to my ILs, they don't have anything for him to play with, so I usually bring our own blanket (that he plays on at home) and a selection of his toys. Maybe having something familiar will help her in unfamiliar situations???

EcoBaby · December 2009

Sorry, I have never heard of that, so I am probably not much help. It seems like all she would need is you to calm her down. Does she get passed around a lot or something?

I know you said you aren't very AP so I don't know if you would even consider this, but I will just tell you what I would do. I would probably try to put her in a sling/wrap/carrier, and just keep her close to me. Try feeding her to see if that will calm her down. I would try to keep the other people away from her as much as possible. She might be over stimulated. There might be a lot of loud noises that bother her. If you can keep her close to your body, it seems like that would help keep her calm.

Maybe when she starts crying, go into a dark, quiet room alone and see if that helps. It sounds like she might be a little scared. I would take her out of the carseat and hold her and just not let anyone bother her.

14years · December 2009

Does her schedule gets messed up when you're out -- do you have to wait to feed her or does she miss a nap she usually takes? I think that could cause a meltdown, and it's hard to stay with the routine when you are on the move.

Also, I second the rec for using a carrier when you're out. Do you have one?

les&jus · December 2009

14years:

Does her schedule gets messed up when you're out -- do you have to wait to feed her or does she miss a nap she usually takes? I think that could cause a meltdown, and it's hard to stay with the routine when you are on the move.

Also, I second the rec for using a carrier when you're out. Do you have one?

Sometimes her schedule is thrown off....it definately was on Thanksgiving because we were out all day. It probably is a lot of overstimulation....tv, people talking, dogs barking. I do have a Moby and she usually doesn't like to go in it, even when I move around, but maybe I will give it a go next time. And yes, she gets passed around as everyone wants to hold her. And everyone thinks that they can calm her down! Not so. I will have to put my foot down next time and not let anyone else hold her.

Thanks, ladies!

EcoBaby · December 2009

Yes, definitely put your foot down.

Maybe you can say she's had a terrible virus, or she has a fever, and you don't want to get them sick Stick out tongue

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Baby hates leaving home, need help!

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