12mo separation anxiety

[purplejungle]

Looking for some advice. Going back to work in August and trying to prepare 12mo who will be cared for by grandparents. We've been in a bubble throughout with grandparents so he's used to visiting but has always been reluctant to be away from me, in recent months doesn't like cuddling them etc.

Today I went out for 15 mins but baby was inconsolable (couldn't catch his breath he was crying so much) and so I returned.

I know it will take time, consistency, practice etc - but how long does it usually take for babies to settle after parent has left?

Does anyone have any tips to make this easier for baby?

Tia

Bump

Hopeful bump

Hi

I have just gone through the exact same thing. My little boy just turned 1 and I have just returned to work part time and he is being cared for by his grandparents.

He is very clingy and gets upset if I leave. This is getting better slowly but he is still very clingy.

The best advice I can give it is to build up, we had my in laws around every week and built up from there leaving him with them for longer and longer each time. It's now at the point he cries when I leave but stops after a few minutes and plays happily.

It's tough but the other thing I have found that helps is distracting him, when he clings towards me distracting him by saying let's play with this and not leaving straight away when grandparents appear.

Hope this helps.

X

I’d say see them as often as you can even if it’s only short visits and until he’s used to them don’t leave as soon as they arrive. Otherwise he might associate DGPs = mummy leaving. He’ll get used to it eventually. Maybe start off with them playing with him and you pottering around the house so he knows you’re still there and you can build it up to being further and further away.