7 mnth old RIDICULOUSLY CLINGY BABY! HELP!

[mamaLou13]

please help.
My 7 month old DD has always been held etc but has also played on the floor/ playnest and played with her teddy bear etc. Just latley however she will scream and scream and scream if i go out of the room or if i am basically not holding her constantly. I can't cope with it. She will not go to her Dad its only me she wants and its incessant. I literally can't go to the toilet! I think she may be teething although we have had a few false alarms with that.... but even if she is i can't go on like this can i?
Its very disheartening for her father too as he can't do anything to settle her and thinks she doesn't like him.
Has anyone else been through this... can anyone help?
Any advice will be much appreciated!
Thanks

Teething I reckon. My usually confident, unclingy (sometimes a bit too much so, TBH) DD was exactly like this whilst teething. Problem is, you don't know that's what the prob is until you feel/see the tooth- by which stage the worst is generally over! Bet it stops as quickly as it started.

Sounds like either teething or separation anxiety - perhaps both!

Try calpol etc and see if it helps?

My DD always wants to be held when she's teething, won't even go in the pram which she normally loves.

It does pass though!

My 5 month old is the same. I can't advise but I definately feel you pain....

her dad says to leave her to cry cos she needs to learn which i do understand but i just feel so guilty looking at her putting her hands out to me to hold her all red and teary! So i always give in! am i making a rod 4 my own back i wonder...?

No you're not. She's 7 months old. She's not manipulating you. She feels vulnerable be it because she's teething, or ill and needs your reassurance. The more you reassure her the better because then she'll feel happy and less likely to get upset. DS is 16 months and looking back, 7 months seems teeny tiny! I used to worry about rods etc but you realise how much they grow and change that whoever made that phrase up was talking rubbish.

I think this is a normal developmental stage for that age group,go with it and give as much comfort and security as you can,and in time she will get more confident.The more you let her cry the worse she will get,as she will feel even less secure.

Honestly, it's normal, just comfort her, it's what she needs, not wants.

I didn't think DD got too upset with other people until today as she's generally fine - but that's because I'm always where she can see me. I went in the kitchen today and left her with her grandparents and she started howling straight away.

They don't know you're not coming back so it must be quite scary for them. Just keep reassuring her, it will pass.

I completely agree with Iggly. Is your dd light enough for you to carry in a sling/carrier? My ds is 7.5 months and is getting clingy now but I know my dd went through a similar stage. I was advised at that time that when I needed to leave her for a minute was to give her a kiss and say "mummy will be back in one minute" and hold up one finger. Then when you get back be very enthusiastic and cuddly with her. Sounds a bit mad I know, but it worked after a while. I've started doing the same with ds now. Your dd might be a bit noisy while you're out but you really do have every right to go for a wee! And you're only away for a minute or two at most. But as Iggly says, if she's hurting or feeling ill with teething, just cuddle and cuddle some more. It's not possible to spoil a baby with love :)

I've heard this is normal for this age. My niece (the most confident unclingy child you can imagine) went through it and still does it when she has another tooth coming through, is ill etc. They always want mummy cuddles when there's something wrong and daddy just doesn't quite cut it!

If her natural character is unclingy i suspect it is a phase that will pass. Just try telling her when you leave the room that you'll be right back and try to reassure her as much as possible whilst trying to get things done!

thank you!