Is this what the start of separation anxiety looks like?

[gretagrape]

Hi. My son is 1 week shy of 9 months and is a good sleeper at night, but over the last couple of weeks he's started to wake up a few times each night crying loudly. When I go in, all he seems to need me to do is pull him away from the corner of the cot and put his comforter up to his face and he turns straight over and goes back to sleep. It's like he just needs reminding that I'm still around.
Also at mealtimes he eats like a horse but again over the last 2 weeks he's started having meltdowns halfway through the meal, but if I take him out the highchair and put him on my lap he'll happily eat the rest of his meal.

On the other hand I had to go out today and left him with my parents for about 5 hours and they said he was perfectly ok, so I'm a bit confused really!

Any ideas?
x

Welcome to the 9 months sleep regression

...what Jingle said, which, contrary to it's name, is a giant developmental leap (according to my GP) - I'm not there yet as my DD is 6mo, but what you're describing is exactly what he described...

Yep, I found 9 to 12 months really hard, if I could go back to that time I would worry a lot less about what was wrong and what I should be doing to solve it and just ride it out. Their brains are dealing with learning to walk and then talk and it disturbs their sleep and makes them generally unsettled and frustrated.

Just cuddle and comfort him through it, it will give him the reassurance he needs and he will soon be running away from you!

Ha ha, so I've still got separation anxiety to come then!

I did wonder as he's also started waking up at 4.30ish now instead of 5.30-6. Thanks - I shall make the most of him coming to ME for cuddles as soon I'll be chasing HIM for them!

So, during the day it's ok, and even the night waking is easily dealt with (so far!), but what do I do when he wakes up early? He's waking up around 4.30am VERY unhappy and still tired but if I try to cuddle him in bed he'll only put up with that for around 20mins before kicking off, so I take him into the lounge and let him play until his milk at 6.30. Should I be staying in bed with him though and trying to keep things low key until the time we'd normally get up? Don't really want him thinking that playing for 2 hours BEFORE breakfast is a normal way to start the day from now on!