Am I doing something wrong for my sensitive child?

[Herewegoagain85]

I've got a 2 and a bit year old girl who has always been a "sensitive" child. From 4 months old, starting screaming if being held by someone other than mum. Now at 2, she'll still burst into tears if certain people (friends / family) say hello too enthusiastically, and it'll be 50/50 whether she'll meltdown if I leave the room. In new environments, she'll demand to be held pretty much the entire time so soft play or toddler groups require investment over many weeks before she'll explore on her own. She still wakes frequently in the night (I co sleep). Nursery is fab though, she runs in and is so happy and has built strong bonds there.

My question is, I've always been very responsive to all of this based on my understanding that responsiveness in early years = independence when older. However, it's exhausting and I worry that I'm being TOO responsive? I'm also a sucker for crying but perhaps there's some childhood trauma related to that.

Anyone have a super clingy toddler that became much more independent without actively changing anything?

At age 2 you are absolutely doing the right thing.

some children are much more anxious than others. If she’s going to nursery and is building relationships away from you then at 2 this is absolutely fine.

the time to start making sure she is exposed to new experiences and environments is a year or two down the line.

one of mine I had to gently encourage in the water at swimming for many months.