Clingy 4 mnth old - help!

[Kelly1978]

dt2 has suddenely become extremely clingy. He starts screamign as soon as I out him down, even under the gym or in his activity centre which he loved before. I really can't hold him all day, he isn't even content with being able to see me. Do I leave him to scream or what can I do to help him?

How about leaving the room but singing so that he can hear you and knows you are still somewhere? Mind you my DS would probably be more upset at my singing LOL. I think I would try to stop it now before he gets too heavy to cart round all the time! Have you tried leaving him just for a short period of time (like 5 mins) to see if he quietens down?

Could he be teething or otherwise unwell?

DS2 has gone through phases like this, but they always seem to pass. Now he's crawling, which seems to help loads.

At 4 months he is no longer a largely oblivious new born.

With both of mine I found 3-6 months the hardest period. After 3 months old they both became more conscious and aware, and I think they just became bored and frustrated because it isn't all that stimuating just staring up at your baby gym all day is it?

Between 3-6 months I did tend to lug them everywhere in a wilkinet baby carrier.

Found that at 6 months - when they learnt to sit - things improved, and improved still further when they learnt to crawl.

Will he be distracted by laundry on washing line, or washing machine, or even (whisper it) the telly?

Ive ordered a sling, for when he is really bad, but its jsut not something I want to encourage too much. I'm worried his twin will start it too - at the moment he is a lot more content. dt2 can be sitting next to me on the sofa but he still isnt happy unless he is held. I left him to scream for about 15 mins this mornign and he hs fallen asleep. He was very noisy but no tears or anything.
I'm pretty sure there is nothing else up, he doesnt seem to be teething or sick, he isnt hungry or dirty.

tried the telly in his bumbo, he screamed at it til he fell asleep

Kelly, I do think some babies (well quite a few) are just like that until they get a bit older

Kelly, they all go through clingy phases. He probably just likes the comfort of being close - part of the bonding thing? My ds went through this too and I loved it because he'd had colic for the first 4 months and didn't want to snuggle at all until after that. Having said that, I have no idea how you cope with it with twins!

I don't think that comforting him now will lead to bad habits, though. I think it is just a natural phase, and they go through independant phases later. I agree that the 3 to 6 month period can tend to be a very clingy one for some babies (they are more aware of you, but not yet able to do independant stuff).

Sorry, not much help.

I put my ipod on so I coul try getting on with a couple of things wihtout listening to him screaming. Tried Kharmellion's idea, sung along to it loudly, and got two very puzzled looking babies watching me round the flat. And my 3 yo is jsut laughing at me. At least they aren't crying!