Needy baby

[Lollipop306]

My 7 month old seems to be very whingey lately.

He's having plenty naps and is feeding well so I don't think he's tired or hungry.

My mum has commented that he's very attached to me and seems to start getting upset as soon as I leave his sight. What could cause this and how can I stop him being so needy with me? Is this a normal phase?

Anyone?

This is completely normal, at this age they become more aware that they are separate from you and separation anxiety starts.

It's not easy but it will pass.

Uh, yeah, that's what's called having a secure attachment to you. It's the foundation of his wellbeing and his future relationships, not something to try and stop. It's normal. Babies are meant to be needy.

Of course he's attached to you, your his mum

Totally normal and, I think, to be encouraged. From my observations, the children with the strongest and most confident attachment to their main caregiver when they are tiny are also the children who have the confidence to seek more independence for themselves when they are ready.

I don't need any stating the obvious comments. Clearly "I'm his mum" so "he's attached". I'm not thick.

I am considering I'm back to work soon and I would like him to be ok with me not being there. That's all.

Sorry I asked

ITs a god thing from the perspective of strong psychological development. Be pleased!

Thanks ladies :)

I just didn't know if maybe he was "too" attached if there is such a thing. He's still waking twice in the night for me too so I was maybe thinking he was over needy.

Good to have reassurance!

Wow you are getting a hard time here OP I think people forget they aren’t in AIBU.
I believe this is completely normal at this age and will pass in time. What are your childcare arrangements for when/if you return to work?

Thanks @GroggyFroggy

I will be at work three days a week from next month and he will be with my mum for two days and my OH mum on the other day. So he'll be with familiar people :)

My DD was the same when I went back to work (10 months). While she settled really well at nursery and with our nanny, she remained a very very clingy girl until quite recently (now 2yrs!). E.g., fine at drop off etc but in my presence she is stuck to me like Velcro.

Sounds like you'll be helping him adjust well and start socializing with other babies in the meantime.

It's very trying and can be quite frustrating but you have to try to see it as a good thing! It will pass, promise!

You need to gradually build up the time your away from him, how about leaving him in your mum or DH care for a few hours at a time and work yourself and son up to a whole night? I have my mum and dad babysit my 6mo once a month so me and my partner can have a nice night together. I find it's helped a lot with his attachment he stuggled with it at first but now he has no trouble at all, he's still a total mamas boy but is happy in his grandparents care for a night.

My ds has always been hugely attached to me over and above anyone else. But he did great with first nursery for 1 to 2 mornings a week from 10 months and then with his nanny from 13 months. I always felt like his attachment to me gave him the confidence to be independent once he got a bit older. He is still very much his mummy's boy but I've been in hospital for days with complications from my second pregnancy and he is doing great.

I'm not even convinced it's that's he's attached to me.

I think he's just whingey in general and I don't know why :(

Is he teething?? My 7.5 month old is a nightmare atm and can feel 2 little teeth breaking the surface! Just gave him a dose of calpol in the hopes of getting some sleep tonight....! Also do you have the wonder weeks app? It explains the developmental leaps babies go through and how they are clingy / fussy / wakeful during these periods. You could be entering a leap?

He's just turned 7m two days ago but already has two teeth. Just don't know what's up but it's so tiring trying to keep him pleased all the time!

It's separation anxiety. It's normal and healthy. They only get it when they have a healthy attachment and that's exactly what you want at this age. It's tiring, but you just have to bring them with you everywhere and put up with the clingyness and not fight it. It will pass. I wouldn't worry about going back to work though. Mine started nursery right at the height of separation anxiety at 8 months and she was absolutely fine. If you have a strong attachment and a trusting relationship, it's possible to transfer that to another trusting caregiver when you aren't there. My dd adapted just fine to nursery.