Clingy 6 month old

[Hulla]

My 6 month old dd has suddenly turned into the most clingy, unhappy baby and I have no idea why.

She cries if she is on the floor near her toys but if I pick her up she then leans towards her toys, trying to grab them.

If she sits on dh's knee she looks at me and cries until I take her back when she'll do this kind of happy-screech.

I feel as though nothing makes her happy at the moment and heaven forbid if I pop to the kitchen to get a drink!

I am exhausted and I just don't know what's wrong. The only thing which has kept her happy this week has been food (started BLW so she's not eating lots). I can't keep giving her food to keep her happy - thats a dangerous habit!

Any ideas? I am worn out.

[LIZS]

sory but it soudns liek she si starting Separation Anxiety which is very normal and could last a good few months. Keep tryign to have other peopel distarct her and if you leave the room or go out of view make sure she can hear you , chat, sing or whatever, and always make a fuss of returning.

[LIZS]

sory but it sounds like she is starting Separation Anxiety which is very normal and could last a good few months. Keep trying to have other people distract her and if you leave the room or go out of view make sure she can hear you , chat, sing or whatever, and always make a fuss of returning.

[LIZS]

oops - connection went down mid post !

[moondog]

That's just how they are.

[Hulla]

Thanks LIZS, sorry I took her out for a walk. I didn't know it could start so early.

I don't mind if she wants to be with me, sat on my knee etc. Its just that even once she's with me she doesn't seem happy (although she is happier than she is with anyone else).

I guess I'll just have to get on with it.

Thanks both of you.

[JFly]

Is she teething? I found (and still find) that if DS is teething he's much more clingy. And it started for us at 5 months.

[Hulla]

I'm not sure how I'd know if she was teething. She doesn't seem to be in pain, its more of a whinge than a cry.

Perhaps that's it, I have some teething powders so I'll try those.

Thanks JFly!

[JFly]

They can be grisly and a bit sorry for themselves, rather than full-out crying. They save that for the middle of the night!

Other signs of teething are more drooling, fingers in the mouth a lot, a fever, off food or less interest in BF...and on and on.

[mumnanny1]

I have been going through the same with my daughter. She has been like this since she was 3 months old!(she's now 7 months)I know how you feel- sometimes it seems I can't even go to the toilet without her screaming!However, it is just a phase (hopefully!)Do you use a sling? I just put my dd in hers when I need to do stuff and then she seems quite happy. She is also better when we are outside, I have noticed, and will sit for quite sometime on a mat with her toys. It's horrible for the dh's though but fingers crossed it will pass soonx

[piscesmoon]

It is just a phase. When they are small babies they can be passed around like a parcel but they then start to pick out the important people and they object to strangers. They will eventually be happy to relate to others-there is no point in fighting it-they do it in their own time.

[Hulla]

I read something in the "Wonderweeks" last night which said baby might cry to be picked up but once they are in your arms they start pushing away again. That describes my dd to a tee. I would gladly cuddle her all day but she doesnt seem to want that.

Thanks both of you, I'll let it pass on its own.

[JFly]

Oooooh, you have Wonderweeks? I have been reading Ask Moxie for a while now and she often mentions that book in relation to sleep regressions. I'm past their research point, but I think it would be really useful for number 2.

[Hulla]

I have definately found it useful - if only just to confirm I am not going crazy. There are so many things in the Week 26 leap that I am seeing signs of now (trying to sit up from lying down, noticing distance between items). I'd recommend it.

Having said this, I have been really ill today and DH has looked after dd all day - whinge-free. So I think its me she doesn't like .

I've just got out of bed and she does seem much happier with him so perhaps thats a good thing to come out of a bit of food poisoning!

[Satsuma1]

This is a phase and will pass, but I totally understand how you feel. I remember feeling very overwhelmed by it and a bit irritated tbh.

It DID pass though and I just think it's something they all go through, although ome babies seem to be more clingy than others.

Another vote for "Wonderweeks" here. It really helped me gain some perspective and like Hulla said made me feel that I wasn't going crazy!