My 8 Month Old Twin Girls ALWAYS Need Me in Their Sights!!!

I agree with what Dawn said, about the super nanny advice. This is a stage, and all babies go through it(I have 3 and am working on #4). You should go somewhere at least a couple times a week and they WILL get over this!

This may or may not help, but it's a stage. They know that they need you for all their needs. They are unsure what happens to you when you leave their site. Try talking to them when you leave, tell them that you are going to do "..." and that you will be right back. Talk while you are out of the room so they know that you are still their even though they can't hear you. My son learned early that "right back" meant that I would only be gone for a short period of time. I also told him when I was going out and that I would be back in a few hours. I also let them know that Daddy would be there to take care of him. It takes a while but they will learn to understand.

Also let daddy or someone else feed them, change them, etc. while you are in their site. But don't hang over them while the other person is taking care of them--fold laundry or wash dishes or read a book. You want them to know that you are comfortable with daddy's ability to take care of them. Children pick-up on our stress level and they know.

I have the same problem with my 10 month old. It started from about 8 months also. Like you I am a stay at home mom and sometimes it drives me crazy. I never get 10 minutes to myself. From what I have been told it is just a phase that they go through. People told me just to let them throw their fits and soon they will realize that when you leave the room you will soon come back. As for me that doesn't work so I just have to take him everywhere! I wish you the best and hang in there, I hear it gets easier! God Bless, A.

I have an 8 month boy and he has just started this also. I believe it is a stage. I usually let him cry a little and most of the time he will begin to play with something. I don't think it last long, if I recall with my other child. Just be prepared because there are several times they go through this. Just reassure them when you come back. I am not sure if this is any help but just realize you are not alone.

I watched an episode of Super Nanny where she delt with a child that was the same way. This child was around 1 and a half but would run after her screaming if mom went somewhere. Jo instructed the mother to start going somewhere on a regular basis, daily if necessary. Mom was to go to dad and say, "I'm going to the store"...or wherever..."I'll be back in a few minutes." This was dad's cue to get the child busy with something. Then mom comes in and says the same thing to the child, kisses him good bye and leaves..NO TURNING BACK...if he screamed, he screamed. It worked like a charm, the first try. It may not work like that on the first try for you, but eventually they will figure out that you will always come back...not to mention it will give you a chance to breathe for a few minutes each day. If you stick with it I bet it will work. LEt us know how it goes. Good luck.

hi steph im not a expert and i dont have twins but i have three girls that are all 2 years apart rught niew they are 12, 10, and 7 but when they were younger it could get to be quiet a challenge. i think this normal behavior i read somewhere babies go through a time when they have seperation anxiety, and or stranger anxiety, its tough but its normal itskind of like if they are only soothed if they are in your arms i promise it will get better just hang in there there will come a time when they wont want you any where near them hahahaha i am also a stay at home mom

S.,
I am a first time mom as well and I do alot of constant reading on the internet of the different stages babies usually go through. My favorite site is babyzone.com. They say that usually around 7 months they start going through "separation anxiety" and it can last for months :( I am going through the same thing with my son (he's 7 1/2 mnths). Supposedly there are ways you can help ease it and help them get accustomed to other people. I am cutting and pasting something that was in the newsletter that I just got from them today. If you join their website they send you a newsletter every week from the time you are pregnant and continue after. Hope this helps!

"If your baby's not yet exhibiting separation anxiety, prepare yourself: It may be right around the corner. If he is, be forewarned that his clinginess may escalate over the next few months before gradually subsiding. To ease his unhappiness and set the stage for a more independent outlook:
Encourage your baby to explore and try new things. Make sure his environment is safe and that it provides him ample opportunity to test his limits without constantly being reprimanded. Also give him time alone. That doesn't mean leaving him just anywhere in your home unattended — but try letting him play on his own in his room for a bit (after making sure it doesn't contain any safety hazards).

Separate. It's actually good for your baby's development to leave him in someone else's care periodically. This gives him a chance to cope with being away from you. Ask friends or relatives to take care of your baby for short periods so he can get used to your being away.

Say goodbye to your baby when you have to leave him. Don't sneak out — that will only increase his anxiety because he never can be sure when you might disappear on him. Instead, develop a little routine, such as kissing him on both cheeks and saying the same phrase whenever you leave, like, "Mama's going bye-bye. I'll see you soon. Bye-bye, bye-bye!" With time, a farewell routine will help your baby learn that you will come back."

"Q: Why has my baby become shy around strangers?
A: It's a natural stage many babies go through called "stranger anxiety." Your baby may turn away, cling to you, or cry in the presence of someone new — or even a familiar relative or friend. Granted, this can pose a problem if you're trying to have someone else take care of her for a while, but the reaction will disappear with time — and there's an upside to it. "Stranger anxiety shows that babies have started to figure out who they know and who they want to be with. It's a big cognitive step," says pediatrician Jason Homme of the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota."

I would agree that this is a stage.. I have a 6 month old and i guess this is what to look forward to. I would walk up to them and not pick them up though but give them a toy to play with. If they throw it down give them another until it works. I hope they pass through this stage very quickly for you.
good luck..

Has something changed........have you had to leave them with someone else recently? Sounds like they are just a little insecure. I would sit and play with them on the floor some. Reassure them that your not leaving them. Let Dad sit with you guys too while this is going on. I run a day care and I have to deal with this sort of thing on a regular basis. I have found that singing sometimes helps. Do your own thing but just let them know that your still around. Let them play at your feet. They just need to know that mom is there. When you do get the chance to sit down with them........sit them both on the floor instead of holding them .........and play with them like that. See if you can get them interested in each other a little more. Maybe if you do that they they will find comfort in each other instead of feeling like they have to have you hold them. I really dont know what else to say that might help. I know you have a lot on your hands. Most of us struggled with just one at a time.......the very thought of two at once is enough to make most parents cringe. I cant even say I know exactly what your going through because at the end of the day I get to send them all home. God Bless you and I really hope that someone here is able to give you some advice that will help you.

Love in Christ

~S.~

I agree with the other moms. It is a stage (though a frustrating one) The other moms gave good ideas about letting someone else take care of them when you are there and going out on a regular basis.

Hey S.! I am a mommy of 15-month old twin girls....I don't think anyone truly understands what mom's of multiples deal with day in & day out....I work full-time & coming home is lots of work, too, but well worth it....My girls did this, as well, but they do get over this stage.....However, one of my girls has just started this again within the last 2 weeks (screams & cried when I leave the room), even to get their last sippy cupof milk of the night....It is pretty much trial & error with multiples....You have to do what works for you (every family is different)...It's just like putting them to sleep....I don't know how you deal with naps & night-time, but we still hold our girls & rock them to sleep....We can't very well lie them down & leave them like most people do with one baby, because if you have one crying & crying because you leave the room, the other one will never go to sleep & you can't have them both crying for an hour (or I can't), I don't like them to go longer than 10 minutes, so our ritual is to hold them & rock them to sleep each night....It is more difficult than having one child, but I wouldn't want it any other way, as they are truly a blessing!! I hope this helped you somewhat!! Hang in there, after 12 months it gets SO wonderful!

Hey S.. I'm K., a stay at home mother of two. Cody is 11 and Max is 8 mos. Max should just as well be glued to my hip at times. So I totally know where you are coming from!! However, we did join a local stay at home moms group and it has made some difference. I think the socializing with the other kiddos has helped and has also helped me get a few minutes to socialize myself without him wollering all over me. Check out this website: www.meetup.com to see if there is an active SAHM group near you. Maybe it will help. Good Luck but in the mean time just enjoy it because trust me they get older and become not so clingy. I just with my 11 yr. old was like that now. :)