18 months separation anxiety -I think?

[sellotape12]

This has come out of nowhere and I’m feeling a bit bewildered. My sociable, happy never clingy baby boy has suddenly started getting very distressed when I leave the room or even sometimes turn around.

It doesn’t really coincide with any lifestyle changes. He’s been in nursery for 6 full months and really enjoys it. I haven’t changed my working pattern. I wondered if this was just a thing that you guys also experienced around the age of 18 months? This week he woke up at 5:00am a couple of times with a pitiful wail. It wasn’t hungry cry it sounded really sad. The only thing that would settle him is a cuddle from mummy, (but then he won’t go back in the cot!)

Mostly it’s just getting difficult because he wants to cling to my hip all the time and it’s becoming difficult to even go for a wee. If his daddy does nursery drop off and he sees me leave out the front door for work, it’s like his world has ended and it’s just heartbreaking.
Do you remember how long it takes to get over it? He is very active but no speech yet. Daddy loves him so much he’s very affectionate but he just wants me all the time.

Hi, I'd say this has been the same for us since 18mo, been going about 4 months now. It's really difficult isn't it. I think they grow out of it but not sure you can do anything.

Oh poor you! Four months is a long time to have to endure it. How is it playing out for you?

Just as you described really, doesn't like to see me leave at all but if I sneak when he's occupied that seems to be ok! I'm guessing it's a phase, hope so anyway!

We had this a couple months ago when my son was 19 months old. He had never had separation anxiety in his life - always a confident and independent little soul but all of a sudden he wanted mum alllllll the time and I could hardly go to the toilet without him having a meltdown. He was okay once he got over the initial shock of me leaving and his dad or grandparents distracted him with games. Naps and bedtime were the worst, I actually had to go back to holding him until he fell asleep because he would scream and cling on to me when I tried to put him into his cot awake.

I think it lasted probably for 5 weeks or so. After that, we went through a brief period of him being very clingy with his dad for a week or 2 then but not as bad. He's 21 months old now and everything is back to normal, I can put him down to bed awake and he barely acknowledges me leaving the room.

It's a tough time but hopefully it will pass over fairly quickly for you. I remember feeling shocked by how suddenly it came on, one day he was an easy going, independent little boy...the next he was a red faced mess, screaming and hanging on to my legs when I tried to leave him with his dad for a few minutes.

@shivawn Yes exactly this! A very familiar tale, thanks for sharing your experience. It’s so hard. I feel so guilty for leaving for work on a morning.