Is every 8 month old like this?

[xhannahx]

My dd is 8 months old, and basically forever she will not let me do anything at all during the day. Even if I try to quickly take the bin out she will scream and complain. She basically isn't happy unless we have one body part in direct contact.

Even if I put lots of toys in front of her she will only play with them if I sit with her.

Are all babies like this? I'm due my second next year so don't know if I should just expect more of the same?

Yes, it's separation anxiety. It lasts for a few months between usually about 6-12 months. It's really normal and it's best not to try to force it. Just take her with you wherever you go. One day magically it just ends, but it's part of them building their confidence in letting you out of their sight and having more independence. If you force it and cause a lot of stress, it just causes anxiety (obviously, sometimes you can't help it and you need to run into the next room quickly), but the more reassuring you can be right now, ultimately the more confident and outgoing she'll be on the other side of it.

mindutopia thank you for your response, this is really reassuring, and I feel like I understand my little DD more now. Will be sticking by her side until it passes, the house work will just have to wait another few more months!

My first was Just like this
. I always say I couldn't put her down for the first year. Made really good use of the sling and back pack. It wasn't separation anxiety with her, she wanted to really engage with life and could only do so via an adult. Basically being a baby didn't suit her.
She is now 14, and has such a busy life. Climbing, kayaking, caving, drama, dance, works hard at school. Every moment is filled. I can see where not being able to walk or talk didn't quite cut it for her.

It got better ( for me, who found it really stifling) gradually as she got older.
My second was the total opposite, so there is hope yet op.

And don't judge yourself for finding it hard, it's bloody tough. I used to feel that she wanted more of me than existed of me. Or that she wanted to eat me alive. Now I miss her when she is off for yet another weekend sailing....

My son was like this and I found it so hard. He's 20 months now and getting better thankfully.

My DD started the same when she was about 8 months old. What I did was always reassuring her about it that I was around. When started crying going up to her and hug her but when stopped crying I put her down again and leave her to play. I sometimes would sit next to her and play but I had to do housework as well so when I was not in the room I was talking to her or I was singing a song This phase went away quite fast like this.

ohyesiam wow this describes my dd perfectly. It's almost as if she needs to be engaged with adults 24/7 because life as a baby just isn't stimulating enough for her!
She has been like this since she was 3 weeks old, we never had a "sleepy newborn" phase with her, she has been up and ready to go since day dot!

I had that same experience with one of my little boys before. It's natural for our little ones to be acting that way and it's just separation anxiety. It'll pass.

Some of them, yes! My DD was a bit of a Velcro baby until she was 1. Always wanted me close, napped in my arms only, screeched when I left the room. She was fine after she turned 1. She's now 18 months (another peak for separation anxiety apparently) and the last week or so she's wanted me close again. If we're in the sitting room she will no longer play on the floor with her toys while I have a coffee on the sofa. Oh no. I must sit next to her on the floor (being ignored) while she plays. Or even better, I'll be sat on the sofa and she grabs my hand and pulls me into her Wendy house (inside) and wants me to sit in there with her, while she sits with her back to me playing. Woe betide if I try to get out - or join in the playing!

It'll pass. I hope!