Clingy, clingy clingy!!

[warra]

I have previously posted with my dd sleep issues but now that she is finally sleeping well we have a new issue!! She is soooooo clingy! I know that this is a common occurance at her age- 9 months but I think this is slightly excessive - if she is not in my arms she screams!! I have tackled the problem so far by being really busy and out doing things in the morning and afternoon but I am exhausted and would like to get a few small tasks done around the house!! It is very difficult to do anything as she will very rarely sit and play for any length of time without my attention! Any suggestions or do I just have to put up with this phase?!!

Hve you tried letting her 'help' you with the things you need to get done?

Sounds interesting - how do you mean?

I also found talking to her about whatever I was doing helped - just keeping engaged.

I talk to her, tell her what I am doing - dance, sing but she just cries to be in my arms!! Even if I am sat on the playmat with her really engaging in play she still would rather sit on me and whinge!

Well these are the things that i do when I need to get stuff done. DS(16mo) in particular was a very 'clingy' baby but is geting better now.

Washing, I let them help me put things in and take them out of the washing machine/tumble drier.

Hoovering/sweping i let them help push the hoover/brush around. Or sometimes I chase them with it. DS liked to play 'bumper cars in his baby walker while I hoovered when he was younger.

Dusting and wiping things down, they get their own cloths. Also can do this in the bath with a wet cloth to wipe the tiles.

Recently DD has become obsessed with the washing up so she gets her own small bowl of water with plastic bowls/spoons while I do the real stuff.

It means most of the tasks take twice as long as they would if I did it on my own, but its easier than trying to do it with them bored and whinging cos they want you. IME they love to copy what you are doing and getting praised for their help.

Sometimes though they do just want a cuddle and it doesnt realy matter if everything is left while u give them this. Making them feel loved and secure is what gets them through this 'phase'

really echo fiodyls suggestion. Once I pushed the High chair up to kitchen worktop. my life gots so much easier

Also 9 months is the classic seperation anxiety phase, you need to do loads of hiding of toys and finding them + peek a boo so that they learn about object permanence. They are scared that if they can't see you it means you've gone for ever

Thank you, there are some very good ideas there!

id try more often to put her down on her own , i know she ll cry but get things to distracted as you dont want your bby to turn into a hip child, let her cry as you know she is no immediate danger she is fine, and she will sonn fogget what she is c rying for but distract her with toys and things, leave the telly on if she feels hearing voices and sound make her feel bit more secure