Is this what touched out feels like?

[Claralaura]

I'm hoping you experienced mums can help. I have a gorgeous almost 18 month old little girl. At the moment she is going through a fussy phase very clingy with me, full of hugs and kisses but wanting to be up in my arms most of the day if I'm not working (which honestly doesn't bother me the much because I love that she is affectionate and usually she is too busy playing for cuddles). Her sleep has been bad the last week or so and she ends up in our bed at 2am every night (she had been sleeping through in her own room up to that point). The thing is when she comes into our bed she just grabs at me for hours, pinching and scratching (not aggressively just in a sleepy way for comfort) and just wants to be on top if me if I move away she gets upset. I am finding this really hard, it feels like my throat is closing over and I just want to get away from her (Which then makes me feel so guilty). My husband has tried to take her while I get some rest in another room but she becomes hysterical. Other clingy phases have passed quite quickly but this seems to be lasting longer than usual, I have mouth ulcers from being run down from lack of sleep and just feel so drained. I don't know how to stop feeling like this, she obviously needs those cuddles to sleep at the moment

Sorry that sounds really difficult. My Dd is like this too but usually I can at least sneak away or put her back in her for when she is asleep. I hope it doesn’t last too long for you.

Btw Oraldene is v good for mouth ulcers.

@vincettenoir thanks so much I'm going to pick that up.

Oh OP yes that's exactly it and I'm right here with you. DD hasn't left me alone for about 3 weeks now and is 18 months too. It's a phase I'm hoping doesn't go on much longer. I end up wanting to push her away in the night and shout at her to not touch me it's really horrible isn't it. I'm exhausted too and feeling run down.

Just wanted to say I also have an 18 month old who is doing the same.

It’s so hard. My now 2.4 month old is going through this phase again, poor sleep and soooo clingy, just like she was at 18 months

I just keep telling myself it’s a phase!

I feel your pain. I have previously left the kids with DP and gone to my parents house for a nap during the day just to get some space, if that's an option it might help. Or maybe get your DH to take her out for a couple of hours? Maybe if you get some time to yourself in the day it will make the night easier

Ooh the comfort scratching. DD went through the same thing and I was covered in them! Now she's content to just have a hand on my tummy, so they do grow out of it, but it is a lot!

I hear you. I don't understand how people cosleep. Every time I bring DS into our bed I get poked, kicked, climbed on etc.

Just checking in to say DS (same age) is identical and has been for a good month or so. Wants to be carried by me all the time but is in love with his new found skill of walking (finally!) so doesn’t know what to do with himself and gets very upset. Screams like he is being murdered if my DH picks him up when I’m present (fine if I’m not there). It’s really rough!

Does she have a comforter? If not I'd definitely work on getting her attached to a teddy/muslin that she can fiddle with instead. We really like the JellyCat toys in this house and the fur is soft and pliable.

18 month old DD was same here last week - then DS arrived Saturday morning and thankfully the clinginess has abated a bit. Surprised but pleased!

I wouldn't put a child of this age in bed with me, it just becomes a habit for them.. I would persist in putting a child in their cot in their own room, they will get used to the idea eventually. clingy or not clingy.