Thankyou so much for your response Mum2boy. It's exactly what I needed to hear. I totally agree with what you said about them picking up on our anxiety. I used to take lexapro but have been off it since BF so he won't get any side effects. The suggestion about the clingy phase is something I haven't thought about. I thought they went through this much later. I haven't tried a sling becuase Lincoln loves to stand and see everything that goes on so I've thought this may make him more unsettled and stressed if he can't see. I think it's a good idea to hang on to him for a little while when I go somewhere and give him time to get used to the new environment and then pass him on to others when he's a little more comfortable. I find it hard to take him back though when he starts cracking up - because I feel like the person holding him may not want to give him back to me IYKWIM. But I just have to be more assertive because he must be stressed out if he's crying and there's no other reason for it. Thanks again for your response. It was really helpful.