Sreaming when I leave the room

[shish]

My ds is 5 months old. He has always been happy and playful and quite happy to play under his plagym on his own for up to and hour. In the last few days he has started screaming every time I leave the room - I can't even go to the loo in peace!!

He's generally become clingy and wingy.

Really don't know what to do. Please help!!

Should I be trying controlled crying or something??

.. oh, and he also wants me to carry him all the time. He hated this before. This is all really tiring me out and getting me down

Controlled crying isn't recommended for babies under 12 months.

Separation anxiety is really common, he hasn't actually worked out yet that you're a separate person to him so gets upset when you're not there. It's a phase, and it will pass ... will probably drive you barmy in the process, but it will pass. Meanwhile, can you put him in a bouncy chair or something when you go into another room so he can watch you? It might help.

My DS is similar to this and goes crazy when i leave the room, however i have hid the other side of the door and after a minute he is quiet and forgets. I've read that it is just a 'phase' and will pass... it just feels like forever and i cant get on with anything.

Probably seperation anxiety - my dd got it early at 5 months as well. Today, at 3.2, she is the cuddliest, most loving daughter I could ever wish for. She is also lovely and gentle with her newborn brother. I never tried to "train" her anxiety out of her. Just carried her (sling helps), rocked her (buggy) and took her with me as much as possible and minimised separation.

Shish, if you meet his need, I believe your ds will grow out of it faster.

BTW, dd is now at ft nursery (loves it) and has been since 18 months. Dd's anxiety slowly got better after 3 months. It will pass

dd started this at 5 months ish - it has continued in varying degrees and she is now at school ! Sorry, it is hard to deal with in the meantime but reassurance such as talking to him even though you are out of sight and asking someone to distract him as you leave may help. Hopefully his won't be as entrenched as dd's and will become easier to handle soon but it often peaks at about 9/12 months. .

He doesn't specifically have to have me in the room. It can be his daddy, but he wants someone there - Very unlike him.

Could he be doing this because of teething pain? I really do hope it's just a phase cos it's really difficult to manage.

I've tried leaving him for a couple of minutes, but he just gets more and more hysterical.

At the moment he's too young to understand that when you leave the room you will come back. You can't teach him that you will come back by leaving him to cry, you just have to wait until he's old enough to understand.

I would really recommend a sling (not a baby bjorn-type one, a pouch sling is good for popping a baby in and out quickly and is more comfortable IMO) They saved my life and sanity with my 3rd and 4th babies as I was able to get on with other things rather than being pinned to the sofa the whole time. It does pass, but I know it can be frustrating while is lasts.

Hi know exactly what your talking about ds2 will scream even if he is with his dad and he knows im about somewhere, but if im not around he is fine! very frustrating. ~Plus like you wants to be held all the time kills your arms and back plus its not easy to do any task one handed. It could be he is getting ill. Ds2 has had sickness and diarohea (or however you spell it) got over that and has just now got over bronchilitis.
As everyone else says it will pass but while your goin thru it it seems like an eternity. Ds1 is 3 nearly 4 and i long to have a cuddle with him but he is too independent now so in a few years you will be wanting them to need you!!

Funny how things go full circle