Clingy babies? Hints & Tips

[Bunnikins]

OK my baby was fine when she was a newborn. She would be held by anyone. From about 1 month she made it clear she preferred being with her mum, but would tolerate being held by others if in a good mood. Now, she SCREAMS when held by anyone else, including her dad.

The screams are terrible, its like shes in the most awful pain but with no tears. Its so loud and frantic. It stops INSTANTLY when put back with me. Shes officially a clingy baby!

I cant be having this. Its not that im not flattered by it, and would love to spend every moment of every day with her, but i just cant! Im back at work in a few weeks. Plus i was a very clingy baby and it continued into childhood, even as a teen i hated being away from my mum and wouldnt go on sleepovers etc, it caused me a lot of problems as a child/teen and i dont want this for my girl!

Has anyone managed to de-clingify their baby? any tips?

(So far ive tried just leaving her alone with others and going away, sitting next to the person holding her, just letting her cry in someone elses arms.. these didnt work)

 

[bananaz]

I wouldn't worry about it becoming a permanent problem yet - clinginess is very common and for most babies it's just a transient phase. I know it's exhausting but all you can really do is keep encouraging her to interact with other people and give them the opportunity to win her trust. Odds are good she'll grow out of this phase soon enough and then you'll miss it!

 

[Bunnikins]

trouble is though when im back at work in a few weeks, she'll be with someone else for almost 12 hours straight and i dont want her screaming all day