My 18 month old DD has recently become much more clingy than usual. She always was a Mummy's girl but in the last 2 weeks or so has become very dependent on me. For example:
- Dropped her off at nursery this morning and she was clinging on and crying, yet she has been attending without issue for 4 months
- She used to run to the door for cuddles with her Dad when he got in, now she hides behind my legs and cries when he picks her up (he is feeling very rejected)
- I can't leave a room without her running after me in panic
- She hates me doing anything in the kitchen and clings to my legs whinging when I'm washing up or cooking (very annoying)
- She has multiple tantrums over nothing every day (but I know this is likely normal for the age)
She was always a high-need baby, but also has a very happy and smiley sociable side, but this seems to be getting lost. I was painfully shy as a child and really hope she isn't developing this charateristic. I have been giving her extra cuddles and me time, she is still breastfed on demand and we try and get her outside as much as possible to avoid cabin fever.
Do you think this is just a developmental stage, or do you think I need to do more to support her and bolster her confidence? I think she is less whingy/more smiley when I'm not around . I'm finding it quite hard to deal with all the crying and whinging and wanting to be right under my feet ALL the time.