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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Nursey Upset 18 months!

5 replies

DocToc92 · 31/10/2024 09:55

Looking for some help. My 18month old has started getting very upset at nursery again. She has been going since she was 11 months 2 days per week and it did take her a good 2 months to settle (she is very attached the me). But we made loads of progress and although sometimes we still got a few tears at drop off when I left she settled quickly and I got regular updates she was doing really well. The last couple weeks have been a different story though! The tears are bigger at drop off and they say she's on and off unsettled most of the day. She is also only on one nap normally but having 2 at nursery, which is a whole different problem 😂but I am wondering if anyones wee ones have went through a bit of regression at nursery or heightened separation anxiety around this age? Looking for any helpful tips! Thank you!

*Should at she eats plenty at home and nursery so no problems there, and there has been no changes at home etc..

OP posts:
AgainandagainandagainSS · 31/10/2024 09:58

Can you get someone else to do the nursery run? Her dad or a GP, even just for a few weeks.
2 days is also not very much. She will have got into a routine of being with you and then has to go back.

If this is not possible, make sure you keep drop offs as quick and no-nonsense as possible. Hug, see you later, bye, turn back and go. No hovering or faffing.

Hypermedi · 31/10/2024 09:59

Has she moved groups/rooms in nursery? All you can do is work with her keyworker and ride it out unless a problem is identified. It used to help my son to bring his own teddy or something into nursery - a comfort blanket of sorts. Get them to reduce the naps- they don't need 2 naps at 18 months.

UnicornNarwhale · 31/10/2024 10:01

Has there been any change in staff or new children? DD went through a few phases of being unsettled at nursery drop off (just got through the other side of another one because of moving rooms). when she was about 18-20months we had a week where she was distraught at drop off completely out of the blue and it turned out that one of her favourite members of staff (not her key worker) was on holiday. When she got back DD was still upset on and off so we talked to her about how people do go on holidays but they also come back and it is normal to miss people when they are away. That seemed to help! Also having a comfort teddy at nursery for when she was upset has been really key this past period of unsettled behaviour.

Topseyt123 · 31/10/2024 10:12

Has something changed at nursery? Is she moving to a different group there, like from the baby room to toddlers? My DD1 became briefly a little bit unsettled when that had to happen, even though the nursery did the change as gradually as they could, with visits first, increasing in length. She was full time at nursery and settled again after a few days. She's 30 next birthday, so it was a very long time ago. 😲😃 I remember it well though.

Also, as others have said, 2 days is a very short time each week. Your child has two routines running in parallel and might be having difficulty switching between them.

I wouldn't worry too much. It's almost certainly just a phase and will settle down again.

ballybooboo · 31/10/2024 11:11

Strong attachment means the child is confident being away from you because they know you will return. Being clingy is not a sign of strong attachment.

Can you change the days/hours? Eg do every morning or afternoon. It's probably because 2 full days a week is not ideal in terms of routine, or increase the full days?. That will help her confidence and make it easier for her to predict you will be returning soon.
The extra nap might be because she's stressed and getting over tired.

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