Clingy baby

Hey there

Dylan also became clingy at 9 months, but it was just a phase. Until this time they think they are part of you and then they start realising they are a separate being. Very scary for them so love and encouragement will work wonders.

Chantel29 - I have a similiar daughter and often find myself doing really strange things with one hand and a baby on my hip.

I try my best not to give in to her all the time, as it only encourages the behaviour to repeat and then it makes my life impossible.

I try to distract her with other things so she can see me, and I can talk to her, and try to encourage her to stay on the floor amusing herself rather than on my hip. I get my DH to hold her even though I know she would stop crying if I just took her.

But it is a bit of a battle. Of course it seems to get more intense when there is something I am trying to finish in a hurry or when my daughter is a bit cranky i.e. dinner time/suicide hour.

Thanks ladies.

When she cries for me I will leave everything to go and pick her up - even if it means struggeling to do whatever I have to.

Shame, man! Yes, as Claire mentioned they go through separation anxiety from about 9 months. It's rather taxing on the mom, but it is just a phase that should hopefully pass soon enough (I've actually completely forgotten about this phase!).

They say what also helps is to play like peek-a-boo with your baby so that she can see you come back when you go away, since they tend to think that when you're gone, you're gone.

It is quite high maintenance, but by being there for your baby when she is clingy, she is comforted by the fact that you are there for her, and in doing this the phase will pass quicker than if you ignore her cries, leading to insecurity, etc.

good luck!

It is perfectly normal - it's called seperation anxiety.

Around 8 or 9 months babies suddenly realise they are no longer attached to their mothers, they realise that mama does leave them for a few minutes.
Some babies are tougher to deal with than others. Brandon my eldest was really easy, I could plonk him on the floor / in his pram next to me and chat to him while I got on with whatever I needed to do.
Liam, my youngest, was and sometimes still is, a nightmare - he wants to be carried 24/7 ! It is only now at almost 2 that he kinda understands the words "mama is busy, I will pick you up in a sec"

But the best thing to do is to pop him in a pram, or get a baby sling, so your hands are free, and carry on with what needs to be done. Remember to talk all the time so he can hear you.
You will have to start off with VERY short time periods in the beginning and slowly make them longer.
Start with times when he is happy ie tummy full and well rested.

My almost 8 month old daughter is very clingy to me only.
Whenever someone else is holding her she cries for me.
She's not even happy being with her dad if I'm around.
I don't mind my daughter wanting to be with me but this is frustrating at times especially if I have to do something.

Is this just a phase?