Why might a 6y/o want to be babied?

[Spudulanky]

Wants to pretend he’s in my tummy, talking in a baby voice etc.,

is this a usual phase?

Perhaps feels a bit like he doesn’t like the growing up he’s having to do, finds some aspects of ‘being a big boy’ intimidating? Mine has been like this at times and still asks when coming out the shower to be ‘cuddled up like a baby’. I think it’s just soothing and go with it.

My 5 year old loves pretending he's in my tummy and takes all his toys in there to play. In practice, this means he puts his head on my lap and hides under a blanket with some cuddly toys.

I would just laugh and tell him you are so pleased he is not in your tummy as you prefer a lovely clever boy you can talk to and have fun.

Finding the enormous transitions in Primary School intimidating. Seeking reassurance, safety and comfort. Lots of soft blanket wrapping close to you and 1 on 1 times reassuring through stories about safety. The Invisible String is a good book that reassures young kids you are always there.

It is an act of regression due to stress elsewhere in life (not necessarily negative stress but change / loss of role / gaining of new strands of identity etc)

This could be:
New siblings
Change at school or clubs
Moving house
Parental separation (either divorce or a parent away for work)
Anxiety about future events like sports day
Dislike of physical changes in the body eg outgrowing favourite shoes, puberty (though not at 6!)
Bereavement including pets

Quite normal, my kids are a little older but still revert to Bluey and Ben and Holly on telly when they're stressed, it takes them back to a time when things felt safer / less challenging.

Aww thank you