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Behaviour/development

ds 15 Months clinginess got worse not better.....

4 replies

herbgarden · 11/10/2007 09:51

DS is 15 month. He has always been quite a clingy child and definitely a mummy's boy. He goes to nursery 2 days a week. He always cries for about a minute but with distraction has usually stopped by the time I reach the front door and I'm told he hardly makes a peep all day and in fact is quite a happy chappy.

Since his MMR two months ago- he's had a variety of illnesses and two lots of antibiotics. We're the mend but also ds has his two eye teetch coming through.

He's a clingy nightmare all day.....if he's distracted for 5 minutes he'll be fine but then he's arms up and wanting to be picked up and will cry and cry until I do. In the kitchen I try to put him in his highchair pulled up to the sink or work surfaces whilst I do a few jobs but he struggles against me to get in that even now. In the lounge he will go off and play with his toys and then come back again.

I've been off work with him this week and it's exhausting and really getting me down. He's thankfully settled down a bit at night ( two weeks ago he was crying for 2 hours a night pretty much every other night so I was exhausted).....it feels like this "Phase" has gone on for ages...everyone is away at the moment (ie mum, mil) and dh works long hours.......


I can't carry him all day - my back is killing me - any ideas??
THanks

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Weegle · 11/10/2007 11:30

Separation anxiety peaks soon after a year so I expect he's in the thick of this. It is very tiring and tough on your back, so I really feel for you. But he needs lots of reassurance and also he needs to learn that when you go you do come back - so lots of games like peek-a-boo, you go and "hide" and he finds you etc. Also to help your back I have found that just sitting alongside on the floor whilst DS plays is sometimes enough. I have also taught him to climb up to me rather than me always having to lift him. To get jobs in the kitchen done give him some real kitchen objects to play with on the floor next to you - DS is kept amused for a long time with mixing bowls, wooden spoons and plastic bag clippits! It is tough though so you have my sympathies.

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herbgarden · 11/10/2007 13:26

It seems worse when in the kitchen - I give him stuff to play with but because I'm standing still (?!) I'm a stationary target to cling on to - tears pouring down. Any idea how long this sort of SA can last ??

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witchandchips · 11/10/2007 13:32

Might want your attention rather than your arms iyswim. Try and let him "help" you with what you are doing. Yes jobs will take twice as long but not so long as if you are constantly trying to keep a lo happy.

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halogen · 11/10/2007 17:39

Have you thought of a sling? My daughter is pretty clingy (13 months) but I can get a lot done with her in a ring sling sort of sitting on my hip. It's much easier on the back than carrying.

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