Whinging 6 month old

[CarrieF]

My 6 month old child has started to whine if not paid any attention. He cannot be left alone for a second, which is exhausting for me. He is happy as can be when out and about but cannot play by himself. Does anyone know how long this phase goes on for as am going mad!!!!!!!

[whomovedmychocolate]

Till about 18 months - sorry.

You can make things easier though by singing when you are out the room so he knows you are still there. Right now he's not got what's called 'object permanence' - which means when mummy leaves the room, to him, you are gone forever (you can understand why this is upsetting).

So he wants to keep your attention. It will get better. He's demanding now and will be for a while but eventually they do start to play alone. DD and DS now play quite happily on their own (2.9 and a year) but between 6 and 10 months arrrggggghhhh!

[CarrieF]

Thanks! I have a 2 year old also, so will be looking forward to the stage when the play together! aarrghhhh! is exactly how am feeling

[Rhian82]

Oh my DS is like this. You can leave him for a moment but not for long, so trying to make him meals is next to impossible!

I also use the singing trick - if I start singing to him when I'm in the room, and carry on (loudly) when I go out, it reassures him that I'm still there.

[HarryB]

I started a thread on this just this week as I also have a whinging 6 month old. The constant meh meh meh meh meh meh from the moment you wake up is enough to drive you crazy. He also does it when I'm in the room. I kind of think that it's frustration - he wants to be doing things but is too young to get about. I know how you are feeling though Carrie. An arrrrrrgh from me too

[CarrieF]

Ah thank you!!