Separation anxiety 14 months

[Gigi00]

DS is 14 months, he has been at nursery for 2 months.

When he gets home he wont be put down (only wants me) screams and throws himself on the floor if i put him down. Screams if i leave the room. It becomes very difficult as obviously other things need to be done when he gets home e. g dinner etc. He does this on other days too when not at nursery, when hungry or tired. Its not a constant behaviour but does occur daily.

This has been going on for a few weeks, before this he was very independent with his playing etc .

Id like to hear if others have experienced this, did you just ride it out? Or did you do anything that helped? How long did it last?

Anyone?

Can anyone help?

Hi there. I don’t think I’d call it an age where separation anxiety always presents itself, but more that they’re just getting used to their new routine. It isn’t necessarily nursery’s “fault” just that it’s all new to him. It might just be who he is too. My eldest is very attached to me, and until 2.5 was my constant shadow 😂 just always talk to him - you’ll be surprised at how much he understands. “Mummy needs to go upstairs and will come right back” (make sure you do) and “watch mummy go in here, then I’ll come out again”.

We're in the same boat, my little one is always quite attached but since starting daycare this has gotten a lot worse, just trying to reassure her and ride it out. A lot of changes for them. Its hard but i find having some distractions out, toys, little games even just a basket of random stuff in it to get her attention

My ds is 13 months and sounds similar. I don’t have any advice, just to say that you’re not alone.

He has just started nursery and he’s more attached to me after nursery. He’s absolutely fine being left at the nursery and seams to have a good day. Possibly for us it’s because he’s a bit more tired after waking up from the car journey, and it’s 5ish so he’s getting a bit tired and hungry and just wants to be held. If I put him down he will burst into tears. He is a bit like this anyway at teatime, I guess I notice it more after nursery because of the car nap and just getting into the house. Where as on the days I see him all the time he still gets more attached at 4-5 pm but I don’t notice it as much, or he’s a bit more mild in terms of climbing on me but is still happy to play.

My ds has just been making lots of progress in terms of development. It’s like he’s suddenly understanding a lot more of the world and being more active.

For dinner I either wait until dh gets home if it’s before 6pm, or I put him in his high chair in the kitchen with a toy and hope he will be ok watching me cook. I also give him a snack (melon or biscuit or strawberry). I mostly just hope that dh gets back in time though.

@Blue2020 same here with the being attached after nursery! Makes it difficult as DS only wants me and not DH when in this mood!

It takes a lot of distraction to get him to snap out of the clinginess.

Im wondering at what age it typically improves?

@Gigi00 i don’t know. It feels like ds is just getting more attached as he’s becoming more aware. He’s been teething too lately and now just getting over a cold so he gets upset a bit more than usual, understandably. I just hope he’s still ok with being dropped off at nursery and he doesn’t start getting upset in a few months time.