Separation anxiety: remind me...

[WilfSell]

...how long does it usually last? What can I do to help him (given that I'm trying to settle him in to nursery and he's 8.5mo and VERY VERY clingy and unhappy when I leave him.

He doesn't even like his dad going into him at nights and he ends up in my bed most times. Am still BF.

Am I actually going to be able to go back to work, cos at the moment our little hearts are breaking as he screams looking for me in the nursery...

Peekaboo.

DS1 was exactly the same and it is so heartbreaking to leave them looking so unhappy. At the time, nursery staff assured me that he cheered up soon after I left and that he was fine.
I went back to work when he was 8 months and was still BFing too.
I know this is probably not what you want to hear, and I'm not sure it's fair of me to tell you my experience as I don't know you're circumstances. But I only managed back at work for 9 months before giving my notice and becoming a SAHM. And i don't regret that decision at all.
Separation anxiety was obviously not the only reason but did make it difficult for me to work as i found it hard not to worry about him.
With hindsight, maybe i could have looked for a childminder as it might have made a difference. I don't know.
DS2 is a different story and seems happy to be away from me. He goes to a creche sometimes and has never cried when i leave him which i find a bit odd!?
Sorry if this is not helpful.

Peekaboo to you too SFA. I guess you mean playing it is helpful? Yes, had forgotten that.

Have two older kids - you'd think I'd be hardened to it now huh?

hi WS - sympathies - one (extremely rare) good thing about not having a job, as my ds is similar - has never been ok even to leave with his dad. Spose I should be training him out of it somehow but got no motivation. Good luck to you...

(who WERE you, btw?)

half chimp, half budgie...

OH!

this name = much more amusing

Do you want to go back to work?

Do you need to go back to work?

If you can possibly not and you don't need to go back for your own sanity then try and stay with him. Or maybe get a childminder or a nanny, they really do benefit from one person (doesn't have to be you and dh) looking after their needs.

Mine still cries sometimes when I disappear from his view at toddler group and he's just turned 2. Sorry!

Yes, the game peekaboo, WilfSell. It's currently my favourite game with dd who is currently going through separation anxiety and being settled into nursery too.
Funnily enough though, no crying when I left her with babysitter tonight (who settled her without tears) and only one false cry at nursery today. So, here's to hoping that we're coming to some light at end of tunnel.

Btw - I liked your previous half chimp, half budgie name. It was so exotic. Not sure I understand this new name.