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Sudden clinginess, new sibling arriving soon, any advice?

2 replies

clucks · 11/01/2003 23:43

My 2 yr old DS is suddenly very clingy, in the past month I would say. He wants to be picked up all the time, which I can't refuse as he is the love of my life. He won't allow me to go into the kitchen for a drink and follows me into the loo, but I'm used to that one. He no longer watches telly on his own, insisting that we both sit side by side on the sofa for an hour of Tweenies/other intolerable cbeebies. I can't get anything done, won't stay with DH willingly either and is a nightmare to send off to nursery in the mornings. I don't know what I've done or not done for this to happen. I am expecting the next one in a few weeks and do find it physically exhausting picking him up all the time and not being allowed to move away from him. I had hoped my husband would be doing more now to ease him into sharing our attention. One side of me wants to give him all the attention he wants because these are the last few weeks that he can have me all to himself. On the other hand, surely I should be getting him used to amusing himself a bit more and needing me a bit less. Any advice please, feeling guilty and tired, and deprived of food and drink (wouldn't think so to look at me!)..

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Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
Eulalia · 12/01/2003 16:30

Oh dear not easy for you when another is due soon. I'd say get dh to help out more now. I'd not worry too much about lavishing attention on him though. I did this with my ds (even sleeping with him the last few weeks before dd was born including the night before!) and was surprised at how well he coped without me being in hospital.... he was nearer 3 though when dd was born and understood that I would be coming home. While I was in hospital dh slept with ds and when I came home I had them both in with me - one on either side for a couple of weeks. then ds went into his own bed. A newborn can be hectic but then again they sleep a lot so you'll have time to play with ds then.

He could realise that the new baby is coming soon and is just seeking reassurance or maybe he's just a bit confused by it all. I'd say give him the attention but not to the point of starving yourself! Good luck with the new baby.

clucks · 12/01/2003 21:21

Thank you, I did leave him alone with dh to go to the shops today but had to sneak off which I hate doing. He was distracted by having a friend round, so I did get a few things done. I have wondered if it might be lack of stimulation, that he is bored more as I have to be part of every game he plays at the mo.

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