My youngest just turned eight months old. For almost a month now he's been very, very mommy attached. I weaned him abouttwo months or so ago. He will be fine playing on the floor by himself for a few minutes and then cries unless I pick him up or let him sit with me on the floor. Is this residual from weaning and how much longer will it go on. A phase, maybe? It makes it really difficult for me to get anything done around the house or even play with my two year old. I've tried his toys, putting him in his bouncer and his exersaucer. When he decides he wants me, then that's it. I've tried to redirect his attention, leave him to cry for just a little bit. Nothing seems to work and it hasn't seem to be getting close to an end. If he's on the floor he will crawl, following me around the house. It's really sad and frustrating. Anyone else experienced this and/or have any advice?
Normal! You have to put up with it and give him the attention he needs/craves, because it's healthy for his development and that's what we tired, frustrated moms are supposed to do.
This is very normal at this age. I found that when I just met their needs concerning this (holding, using a carrier/wrap, keeping them right with me), that they get over it quickly, and have more confidence in your love and their own security. If you try to "train" it out of them, they get more clingly. They just have needs, and we are the ones blessed to meet those needsd. He's your baby. You're his mommy. Embrace the relationship. ;)
All babies go through it. I have six, and at some point or another, every one of them didn't want put down for any reason.
Invest in a sling (not a carrier, those aren't as comforting to baby). I suggest the Maya wrap and/or the Over the Shoulder Baby Holder. They are INVALUABLE, especially at this stage. I've strapped baby to my front or back and gone about my business with a happy, content child. I even defrosted a freezer wearing one of them once.
As another mom said, enjoy it. :) It doesn't last forever!
I just asked something similar, but my dd is only 6 months old. Here is my post. Good luck!
I just had a blog entry yesterday about my baby wanting to be held all the time!
http://ourworldreinvented.blogspot.com/2011/05/taking-dee...
My dumb solution is to just hold him all the time because he won't want me to later and I love it. But I know what you mean about not being able to get things done. I'm actually taking a day off from work next week to clean my house, while the baby goes to daycare. But some actual reasonable advice I was given was to put him in a baby carrier (I have the Ergo Baby one) and just go about my usual business around the house while wearing him. It's a bit indulgent, I know, but....he's NOT going to want to be held forever, and my baby does not cry it out. Ever. He just cries.
i don't know cause my son isn't that old yet, but I've heard that this is around the age that they go through seperation anxiety and that it's a phase most babies go through. Just a thought as to what it could be. I don't have much past that.
It's a stage and it will pass (when another stage comes in). :)
So I say let the housework go for now. The important thing is interacting
w/your kids and your sanity.
When you can get a few mins of him being occupied, get up and get some important item done.
If you have someone extra there like an S.O., hubby, mom or friend stopping by have them watch the kids for a few mins (5, 10, 15 mins). Take advantage of them being there and take those few mins to do something vital: quick shower, load the dishwasher, a load of laundry, scrub toilets, wipe down kitchen counters, sweep kitchen quickly not like in the old days when we were perfectionists and had all the time in the world heh heh, return a phone call making it short and quick, all done hurriedly and in broken up chunks but getting it done nonetheless. Let all stuff go that does not have to get done (alphabetizing your canned goods just kidding, lining up the cans etc....you get my drift.). These days I am lucky to get in a shower, go to the bathroom and brush my teeth. I pare everything down and only do the necessary topical ceaning until I can get to it on a weekend for a bigger overhaul.
Perfectly normal. Try wearing him. There are lots of different style slings so you should be able to find one that you will like.
Oh I remember that! It was just me and the baby allday and I had all toys, swing and none of it worked. I learned how to deal. Carrying her was just part of it. Now she's 4 and hardly ever sits with me now!
Ergo baby carrier. I had to were mine a lot, though not at this age.
Enjoy it. Ignore the housework, and enjoy it.
you will blink once and he'll be in high school and want you to stay away.
best, k
