6 mo DS screams and screams if I put him down

[Babyisaac]

He's always been pretty miserable but he's even worse when it's just me & him in the house. He has to be carried everywhere otherwise he is hysterical. Won't even be put down for 2 minutes. He's okay when his Dad is around, it's just when he knows there's just me. He seems to be getting clingier and clingier.

Now, I know there are 2 schools of thought on this:-

1. You can't spoil a baby with affection, picking up etc until they are around 9-12 months. Giving them what they need is supposed to make them more confident and self-assured and letting them scream will only make them less independent and clingy.

2. They need to be left to cry so they know you won't rush to them to pick them up. Eventually they'll realise this and won't be wrapped around your little finger.

The first one is so much easier and does make sense but I'm worried that he'll get worse and worse. It is also very claustrophobic having him attached to me all day but it is the only way he won't cry. I think it has become worse recently as my DH has been doing lots of overtime at work so hasn't been around to share the attention.

Any thought on this or similar experiences? Meandmyjoe - I've read some of your posts before and your DS sounds a lot like mine!!

Is he rolling or crawling? My ds was exactly the same at 6 months. I thought I was going to have an extra attachment for life At 7 months he started crawling and then at 9 months walking. He now at 10 1/2 months and couldn't be happier. He just hated being trapped in one position. He is still quite clingy when tired or upset but will toddle around quite happily for hours otherwise. So maybe it is just a give him time thing. I know it is tiring and your arms get sore inthe meantime though. Have you tried a sling?

my ds is the same - he is 20 weeks/ coming up 5 months. He won't settle anywhere else than my arms for long. Plus he starts a panting sob type thing if we (dh or me) step further than the corner of his cot when he's going off to sleep.

looking forward to him crawling if this will help

Sounds like my dd, stressful and tiring isn't it?...and yep claustrophobic...never thought I would go out alone again.

We held our dd all the time, barely used a pushchair, used a babybjorn carrier, or a hipster (hippy chick), my left arm is now remarkably muscular . Breastfed her most of the time too...actually it was that that kept her quiet, not the holding . They do need to know you will always be there for them so keep up the good work, he will be forming a secure attachment to you that will last for a lifetime . We went past 9 to 12 months with this til now, she's 2.2yrs and I was in tears today because she went to playschool for her trial day. The first time she was ever away from me and dh was friday...she was fine, left her again today, again fine. Proof is in the pudding

Looking to concieve dc no 2 now and going to do the same thing all over again and at least this time I do know that its not forever even tho it feels like it at the time.

Won't be long now before he can sit up and start to move around and find more interesting things than you to play with

My DD was an absolute nightmare, like this. Always needed carrying around, bored within 5 mins of anything, wouldn't sit in pushchair/bumbo/carseat/swing chair. Wouldn't sleep, I was exhausted! She was permenantly strapped to me in the carrier, facing out, so she could see what was going on.

I thought it would never end, but she is so much better now! I think she used to like me to carry her around because it was more interesting seeing what I was doing and moving about than DD being stuck in one place and frustrated at not being able to do anything. I know it is hard on your back but it means you move about more, from room to room or around the room which seemed to keep DD entertained. When DH is home or when out it is easier because there's more than one of you or a new surrounding to keep them amused.

DD started crawling at 7mo and is sooooo much easier now. She will quite happily crawl off to play with her toys and she gets tired from all the extra effort and now naps during the day too. She is much more relaxed and not so frustrated, just generally happier, I haven't had the carrier on for at least a week .

Hopefully you will find this, and it wont be very long before he is more mobile, then he wont want to be stuck in the carrier and things will turn around for you both

He won't get worse, if he's confident that you are always there for him, his confidence will grow when he is ready for it. You say that picking him up is easier and makes sense; trust your instincts. He's just a baby. You sound as though you are in tune with him, of course he wants you.