Help, separation anxiety...

[PVBG]

DS2, 14 months, has gone very clingy, coinciding with DS1 starting at nursery. He's impossible, howling every time I put him down, even if I am still standing next to him. He rapidly becomes practically inconsolable. He weighs over 2 stone so carrying him around all the time not an option. Should I pander to him, or let him 'cry it out'?

It may coincide with the change in his daily expectations, i.e. DS1 disappearing. Or it may be an age thing. Dd got more clingy around 16 months which was a bit of a shock as she'd previously been miss independent 'I want to be alone' type of girl. From what I've read this period of time up until 2 or even a bit over is the height of separation anxiety issues and that to be kind and reassuring works better than being tough. I know that's a drag at times. How about trying to engage him in various activities while you're doing what you want /need to do? Or getting him involved whenever you can. Basically if you try to ignore him it will make him more and more desperate to be with you, it will become a battle so to speak. I've found with dd that if she's really demanding my attention and I give it for a good 30 minutes or so, she's happier to go off on her own for a while. Is he mobile etc. yet? If not, that may be part of the reason also for his frustrations. Dd is 18 months now and is better than she was.

I found that dd was very clingy when I had gone away for 3 nights, a couple of weeks ago. She's 16 months. When she starts crying, because Ive put her down, or gone out of sight, I try not to pick her back up but Ill talk to her, and try to distract her with her toys or books or something. I agree with Evita that it may very well be down to ds1 starting nursery.

DS is 8 months and recently had a very bad bout of separation anxiety. I have heard that s.a. typically happens around 1... so does it happen at 8 months AS WELL or is DS just experiencing it early? Any thoughts?

8 months is spot on developmentally