Does this lead to bigger problems?

[sausagecake]

Picking up a baby every time they hold their hands out to you. My dd 12 months, wants to be cuddled alot (most of the day). Getting fed up and a little worried about friends and family saying.. she has you wrapped around her little finger, your building a rod for your own back etc, etc. Is this the case? is it so wrong and does it really spoil them for later in life. Can I hear your experiences. thanks :p

Ignore!

(not the baby - the busybodies)

In my experience, my children behave much better if they've had a nice cuddle. But they've never wanted cuddles ALL the time.

don't people talk rubbish. she's affectionate - that's lovely

Well I always picked DS up if he put his arms out, and spent most of his first two years holding him. For me it was a personal choice, I liked holding him and found I could do most things with him in one arm. He learnt to hold on like a little monkey and I often wore him on my back with a peice of material like they do in Africa.

At 3 I no longer needed to hold him, he's just cling on with his legs and arms

I don't think I created a rod for my own back, DS is a confident independant boy who has never been clingy, and I am most certainly not wrapped around his little finger.

I don't know what baby wearing is all about but isn't this it? If so there is plenty of positive stuff you can equip yourself with to tell family and friends who disaprove.

Cuddle her as much as you can.. when she is a teenager she won't want you near her! Ignore the friends and family.

Why do people (your friends/family) see the negative in this. Is a 12mth old really doing it to wrap you round her finger? No she loves her mummy and wants a gorgeous cuddle, who wouldn't . And what would they suggest you do, ignore or distract her. Like OverMDB said, children who know they are loved don't grow up to be clingy but happy and independant. Carry on doing what you do

Cuddle, cuddle, cuddle.

The more you cuddle her, the safer she feels and the LESS she will need to become clingy/cry/act-up to get your attention. Honest.

ENJOY IT

CUDDLE HER!

For the interfering family members/friends, tell them to turn the situation around. If they wanted a cuddle from someone, how would they feel if they were ignored?

Why are babies/children always seen as being manipulative, rather than being little human beings. Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrr

Message withdrawn

Carrying a baby round all day can be hard on your back, neck and shoulders.

When you are carrying her does she ever wriggle to get out of your arms and play with her toys?

While I don't think you should be cruel and not respond to her it is perfectly reasonable to get down her her level when she puts her arms up, snuggle next to her and start playing.

That gives her your attention plus lets her get used to playing on the floor and helps her develop her independance a little.

Yes, she does let me know when she is ready to get on the floor and play. At which point I am more than happy to put her down again. I guess while she is going through all the pain of teething and bumps and scraps from learning to walk then I am more than happy to give her as many cuddles as she requires. It upsets me to think that there are far too many people out there that only think of babies / toddlers as manipulative little people. Thanks for your replies.

I would hold her as much as I liked- ignore the comments and they'll soon stop