DS crying when he sees me after a few hours separation?

[Mamatastic]

Hiya, just wondering if this happens to anyone else and if it's normal? My DS is 8 months old and is the light of my life. We have a great bond and he is a really contented wee guy, always has a smile for his mummy and daddy and everyone else he meets. He only really cries if he needs something and can happily entertain himself as well as interact really well with others. He isn't clingy at all and I can pass him to anyone and he is fine. I have occasionally left him with other people (granparents and aunties) before for between an hour to 3 hours and he's been totally fine. However today and once before (last week I think), upon my return from leaving him for 3 hours at my inlaws, he WAILED when he saw me come out of my car! I stood at the window and waved at him, at first he looked a bit perplexed then he totally burst into tears and looked almost panicky! I went indoors and gave him lots of cuddles and he soon calmed down. But that was the first he'd cried all afternoon! I hope he wasn't crying thinking 'Oh Christ there's that crazy mummy woman' but rather he was reminded that I existed and was worried in case I left again? Is this the start of separation anxiety? But he was fine when I left him today (mind you I don't think he really understood that I was leaving him for so long).

Has anyone else experienced this kind of thing with their baby? Thanks for any insights!

Yes I would say he was having such a lovely time he forgot about you, then was distraught to think you had not been there. Also possibly tired if he had had full-on grandparent attention and (I'm assuming) no nap for 3 hours?

Hi Mamatastic. Both my DCs went through phases like this, and I am sure it's because they are perfectly happy once you've left them, but sometimes when you come back they suddenly realise you've been away and they start to miss you. Which isn't too bad if you're there to comfort them is it???

I think this is around the age that separation anxiety clicks in. You are right, IMO, your reappearance reminded him you'd gone.

Thanks all for the reassurance, yes he did indeed have mega grandparent overload and no nap so that probably didn't help. He never wails like that when he sees me at home so I hope it was just an overtired baby who was suddenly reminded of mummy and realised I had gone. Bless his wee cotton socks!

its a release of stress when they cry upon return of the parents, he is still not used to be separated from you. but he will get the hang of it []

My dd does this, its almost as though she's relieved to see me and thats why she does it - I take it as a compliment

my (9 1/2 months) started doing this a few months ago when i went to pick him up from the CM, he is now coming out the other side and i get laughs and kisses, like BNS i take it as a compliment that mummy is the bestest. If i turn up and he doesn't see me he will be playing away like crazy until he turns around and sees me. So don't worry - it's totally normal.

if I sneak into nursery without dd seeing me she is happy and smiley playing with her toys and little friends. As soon as she spots me her wee arms start waving frantically and she bum shuffles over to me wailing until I pick her up.

Your ds just loves you lots and lots!