Baby Who Only Wants Mommy

It's a phase, and it won't last forever. Even now, sometimes my 19-month old son has "mommy days" and "daddy days" where it just HAS to be one or the other of us. I suggest getting her used to 1-2 other adults who she sees a lot (like her father and maybe a daycare provider?) by having the three of you together so she can get used to that person. Also, have you verified that she actually cries hysterically when you're gone? Or is it just when you *leave*? (Ie does she stop in 3-5 minutes after you leave?) Sometimes kids cry when they know Mom is there and can't have her - that's different than crying every time you're gone.

Just wanted to 2nd the baby bjorn carrier, or whatever carrier you like. My daughter must have had a little colic for a while, and I couldn't do anything but take her with me everywhere (in the house, laundry, etc), so I carried her in that. She still chooses me over daddy, but someday that will probably change.
If you don't have one, and think you want to try it, you can get them used at Once upon a child, craigslist, or check your paper.
I've seen them for $20-$30 used. Depends on the seller I guess.
They are washable, and adjustable to you, husband, etc.
Also, just keep exposing her to the people in your life and maybe get a 4x6 photo album and put close ups of your relatives/friends faces in there so she can look at it as she grows. Children love their own photo album.
And, if someone is holding her and she gets hysterical, even with you standing there, don't be afraid to ask for her back. She will eventually outgrow it.
Good luck.

Not that there is any one right answer here but I went through this too. You can try wrapping her in a shirt you have just worn when someone else has her (so she can smell you). record your voice singing or talking or reading a book (or a news paper) Daddy can play this when you are not around. Pay close attention to the way others hold her. If you use a certain hold have others try this too. most likely any of these things or even a combonation will only give you a few minutes peace but sometimes thats all it takes. She will grow out of it, try not to hold it against her, she just loves you. good luck

Maybe during nursing have daddy next to you and if your willing, put some breastmilk in a bottle so daddy can share. When she is calm and you can be in the room, give her to others to hold. Your little girl may calm down after 5-10 minutes after you leave...it's hard to hear them cry...

Hmm that seems kind of normal to me. My son wanted only Mommy and only breastfed the first year! (I mean he wouldn't take any kind of bottle-he ate foods etc. but he had no sitters basically)Yeah I did not get away alot. I thought that was part of the deal. It was extremely demanding and rewarding both. Now he is a happy healthy and well adjusted young man. (I also recovered!)
This is the most important period to bond with your child. That is what you should be most concerned about in my opinion.

separation anxiety, I agree. My little one was like that too. I used the baby Bjorn carrier a lot during those times! Even around the house, while I vaccuumed or stuff, I'd stick her the Bjorn and do my chores. That way she still felt like she was with me but I could do stuff the same time.

Hi JB,
I remember these days, as does my husband. My youngest went through this stage and we just had to ride it out. It was almost worse if I "rescued" him from daddy. It just showed that daddy "couldn't do it." It was frustrating for everyone involved.

I am not sure if we did the right thing or not, but we just had me leave more and more. I was also breastfeeding and my husband would do the diaper changes and then hand the baby to me when he was ready to eat and I would feed him and daddy would put him to bed. So it was like he was involved in everything but the actual food part. I liked the suggestion of having your husband talk to the baby while you are feeding too.

But yes, not to scare you, but the baby went through a phase where he would refuse the bottle and only want the boob. When I was gone, he would SCREAM. Some people say "they will eat when they are hungry." But some babies won't. They want mom and that is that.

Not to scare you, but just wanted to let you know that you are not alone. My little guy is 15 months old now and he's been happy with daddy for a long, long time.
B.

It is separation Anxiety. She is so young, she feels safe and secure with you. Don't fight it. You will look back on it and wish it would happen again. It does get better, not right away, but it does. If she is around others more often she will get used to them. But just because this is the case, she will still cry for mommy. She feels safe and secure with you. All people want to feel that. Enjoy this time.

it isn't related to breastfeeding as i weaned my baby at one year and i did not experience what you are now. just wanted to rule that out.

Dear JB,
My 5 month-old granddaughter has had separation anxiety for a couple of months and I was surprised by it as my own 6 children had it at a much later age. Your daughter is just very aware and knows what she wants even at that age. Breast feeding is such a precious experience that I always took my babies with me, especially at that age. Believe me, when she is a little older and is moving around on her own and discovering "the world", you will gradually become "old news"!
So, enjoy her infancy while you can. It will be over before you know it!

This is normal. Breastfed babies especially love Mama. You're all she has ever known. She was inside your body just 10 weeks ago. Her life depended on you for nine months, and with the nursing (which is the way babies are born to be fed), her life still depends on you. Is she hard to take in public? Often, newborns will sleep through dates at restaurants and all sorts of stuff. Plus, if you more you keep her with you, the later you'll become fertile again (most likely). This stage will be over before you know it. The parent child relationship is the only relationship that grows apart. Enjoy your babymoon. You'll only get this time with her once.

My 9 month old was exactly like that, she just wanted to be near the milk supply at all times. My family gave me such a hard time, thinking they could sooth her, which only made her more hysterical. She's just strong-willed, not a bad thing, but I know it can be frustrating at times. She's still pretty much a mommy's girl, but when she was 4-5 months old I could start leaving her more with someone else. She never really would take a bottle or formula, either. We just went straight to water or breastmilk in a sippy cup, and I'll keep nursing until she's a year and can start whole milk. Good luck!