Daughter no longer likes me

[RosePippi]

This may be a slightly over the top title however my previously extremely clingy 12 month old who would only ever go to me, only settled on me, only wanted to be hugged/put to bed/fed by me, has suddenly taken a real turn and now wants everyone but me. She will actively cry if I try and pick her up or do anything with her. Whereas everyone else, my husband and her nursery workers (who she has only just met) she wants cuddles etc.

I just picked her up from nursery and she was screaming to get out of my arms back into the nursery workers arms.

I’m so upset, I feel so rejected. It has come out of nowhere and I have no idea what I could have done to her that’s made her like this?!

Has anyone else had this? Did it get better?

Aw I'm sorry @RosePippi it's so hard. My son went through the same phase a few months ago and it was really difficult. I often ended up in tears, because my lovely smiley boy seemed to really dislike me suddenly. I think the rejection is extra painful because we love them so much and do so much for them! Like yourself I kept wondering where I had gone wrong.

I am very happy to confirm it was a phase and now I get the brightest smiles and he runs into my arms even if I'm just returning from upstairs.

By the way and in case this helps, when I was in the thick of it I read somewhere that they usually exhibit these behaviours with someone they feel safe with. She knows she can push you away and shout at you and you will still love her and meet her needs. It will all pass.

Has she just started nursery?

Completely normal. They come out of it as quickly as they go into this phase. Go with the flow! It doesn't mean she doesn't like you. There are various theories about this but my gut feeling is that because it sort of coincides with them realising their own self, they pull away from whoever has been their main care-giver up to that moment. It's like they saw you as themselves before and now they realise you two are separate beings, and they pull away due to the processing of this realisation. Just my theory though!

It because she has total confidence and you and can completely take you for granted, and other people are new and exciting and unpredictable, That is all it is, she still loves you best

Ahhh so normal.

Dont worry about it (easier said than done)

And let DH take over and put to bed etc while you pop your feet up and relax

Yes just started. She’s only been a handful of times so far. But seems to want to cuddle them all and cries if I take her off them.

These replies have been so lovely. Thank you everyone.

My daughter, who is now 38!, did this just after she started nursery at 3. She rejected me. It was a phase. Promise, it will pass! It may start up again during the teenage years.