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Behaviour/development

Talk to others about child development and behaviour stages here. You can find more information on our development calendar.

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Original poster

Separation Anxiety

7 replies

KTB1234 · 03/10/2008 15:24

Is my 8mth old daughter too young to be going through this? She screams the house down when I leave the room at home (ok when out and plenty to amuse her). Any ideas as I am totally out of my depth...

Thanks!

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

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Mungarra · 03/10/2008 15:48

8 months is the classic age for separation anxiety. All you can do is try to take her with you if you can.

My DS2 was like this from 7 to 10 months old. My DD is 9.5 months now and doesn't cry so often when I leave the room.

Original poster

KTB1234 · 03/10/2008 15:53

So it is not something she will get better with ie. knowing I do return? Also what on earth will happen when she gets to nursery in a couple of months???? I really don't want her to be traumatised

OP posts:

Pheebe · 03/10/2008 17:01

she'll grow out of it, most do so quite quickly but its important to reassure her as much as possible at the moment. she's just realised she's not a part of you and she's scared of being alone. play to it for now and she'll be fine

ShowOfHands · 03/10/2008 17:09

It'll get better when she realises that you don't disappear completely when you leave the room. She'll get there. It's called 'object permanence'. You can help by playing hide and seek and similar games.

mummybex · 03/10/2008 17:26

hard isn't it!

it may help you to take her with you where possible, even if in baskets of laundry, to toilet etc. oh and singing/talking to her from another room can sometimes help.

its a normal age for separation anxiety to first appear, may last a month or two, (possibly three)- then usually reappears briefly at approx 14months IME. Like showofhands says, try games like hideandseek, peekaboo, hiding/finding toys under hats etc. also showing you are happy and confident when you leave the room and return - best if she is too- can help.

Nursery might be hard at drop-off for the first few weeks, or she may be past it by then. She's timed it quite well really oh, and I always like to think starting it at 8 months shows good emotional intelligence

good luck x

meandmyjoe · 03/10/2008 18:49

My ds started at about 8 months. It lasted til he was 11 months but appears to be reappearing now, he's 13 months.

Twiglett · 03/10/2008 18:51

at 8 months they realise that they are actually a separate entity to you

it lasts a few weeks normally then abates

oh then it comes back at about 15 months for some reason

but then it goes away

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