Clingy 15 month old

[annieRu1]

Can anyone offer any advice please...

My 15 month old used to toddle into nursery just fine with no tears (after a settle in period of course) but all of a sudden she gets upset when I drop her off. She's fine on the way there and loves her key worker but seems to be upset as I leave. She's also far clingier when we're getting ready in the morning. She's never really shown separation anxiety before to this level so not sure what's brought it on. It's getting hard for me to leave her and keep thinking about it. Is it just a phase? Also to mention, at night time, she's always been a good sleeper and she goes off right away when I put her in the cot but recently she's got upset as I leave...

Bump

We had a phase like that too. Well actually it‘s mostly been like that from 16 months to 2,5 years.
Broke my heart. I was told that kids are sometimes overwhelmed ar nursery and to pick him up earlier..

She sounds like she's just at the age when she's getting more aware of separations. I know this feels like a step backwards, but actually it's a cognitive step forward for them. She is realising the world is a bigger and more intimidating place than she knew before, and she's clinging on to what she knows and loves best. My LO had a lot of trouble with transitions - cried basically every day for 2 years at the nursery drop off which was horrible for us, but after a few months the staff reassured us that she was actually fine as soon as we'd walked out of the door. Not to worry you even more, but wait until she can speak better and tell you 'Mummy don't leeeeeaaaveee meeeee' 😭. (My LO is now 4 and adores her school, so it does get better!)

That's so helpful to hear, thank you. It's just unlike her usual behaviour but it does make a lot of sense. I love the extra cuddles but don't want her to be upset thinking I've left her...!

It is so hard seeing them upset! Have you asked the nursery staff whether she seems ok in the day? If she's generally fine but just having a difficult time at the drop off then it does seem to be classic separation anxiety and you just have to ride it out with lots of cuddles until she learns how to overcome it. One thing my nursery stressed was to try to seem as unconcerned as possible at the drop offs and never let her see you getting upset, however much you feel it, because it will just reinforce her sense that it is indeed something to worry about.

That's great advice, thank you. They say she's fine as soon as I leave as they distract her so does sound like separation anxiety as you say. I don't linger at drop off, I am all smiles with her, quickly drop, give a kiss and tell her I'll be back to get her later and then go (and cry in the car!!) Good to know it's fairly common and nothing to worry about .