Ok, so here I was a couple of days ago giving another Mum words of encouragement about her clingy baby - and here I am today hoping for some advice myself on the exact same thing!
Firstly, to understand our situation - here is a bit of a description. We are living with my folks for a year or so B4 I get my own place. I am single Mum and have great support from my parents, who have been very involved in our lives, giving help when needed. I have noticed lately that Cooper has been very clingy with me, that when he goes to other people, he is fine for a short time, but then starts really bawling and does so until he is in my arms. He hasn't done this with my parents though, as they are always cuddling him during the day, so he has been fine with them. We go out a lot, and Coopers is used to other people as I am very social and don't want him to be scared with people etc. I just put it down to being a development stage and wasn't too concerned.
So I am looking at joining the gym and figured I could go perhaps when he has his longer nap whilst Mum looks after him(around lunch it can go from 45 mins to 2.5 hours.) But he goes to sleep at 7pm, so I thought I could go then also.
When I got to the gym tonight, 20 minutes later Mum rings and says when he woke up a bit usettled and she went in to calm him down, he looked at Mum and started screaming. Now, previously I have been trying to get Mum to help settle him when he has woken up upset, and I noticed that he wouldn't settle with her. But early night, he barely wakes up - so i figured it should be OK.
I have only just 10 minutes ago got him back to sleep! When I came home he went into my arms, gave me a big cuddle, and gave Mum the biggest smile and giggled! He settled back in his cot easily but woke up crying and I have had to rock him to sleep - he wouldn't close his eyes, he would just lie there in my arms and stare at me!
When I did a search on clingy babies, there was a fair bit on babies 9 months + but not anything on babies his age. What I want to know is - is this normal for 5 mnths? I don't really know what else I can do, if this is just what babies do, no dramas. (I'll join the gym later!) But everyone keeps saying - oh, he's very clingy, he's going to be a Mummy's boy etc etc. But I thought I was doing everything that a Mum should do! I suppose part of me is a bit scared this will continue on when I want to go back to work when he is older. But the most important thing is that he feels safe, but I am curious to know if other Mums babies went through this at his age and how are they now that they are older?
So sorry to take forever to get to the question!
Last edited by Mum2boy; January 16th, 2007 at 08:29 PM.
Mum2Boy,
i totally hear you on the clingy thing. Tarleha has been suffering from seperation anxiety from mum since she was 5 mnths old, unfortunately she has just gotten worse as she has got older as she is 6.5 mnths now. For example she won't eat her food if her father tries to give it to her!!! I can't even go to the toilet without her starting to cry and scream.
I get the mummy's girl, but i see it as a stage they go through and yes our children obviously have started alot earlier than most.
I am just trying to stick it out.
Goodluck with Cooper
Nina is 10 days younger than Cooper and she's doing the exact same thing. She'll watch my every move and when she can't see me in the room, she'll scream until I walk back into the room. People are always saying 'oh she's a mummy's girl' but I too think it's just a faze and she'll eventually grow out of it. I'm sure one day she'll be screaming for daddy!!
Yeah - Tallon is definitely a mummy's boy. And he started WAAAAAY back. He especially gets worse during teething. It's very normal for them tho as they start to work out who is who.
I'm pretty sure it's not habit forming.. in fact, validating their feelings and helping them feel secure can only be a good thing IMO! Our clinginess comes and goes in stages, so I don't think he'll be clingy for life
Oh - and I totally know the giggle as soon as he's back in your arms! LOL. I feel sorry for the person that has just spent ages trying to comfort him, and all he wanted was mummy. Oh well - make the most of it.. I'm sure in a few more years we'll be the ones crying for hugs from them! hehe.
It sounds normal to me! Louis was very clingy for ages and I would say it's only the last couple of months that he's started to chill out!
It sounds like your doing a great job getting him used to other people caring for him though as it's important that you get a break sometimes!!
I'm sure this stage will pass!
sounds normal to me to Aneta is going through this stage now - its slowly starting to ease , but she still has moment where she gets hysterical... and stops the second i take her. I actually enjoy it its as if she understands im her mum and she feels safe with me
my son riley is doing the clingy thing and he is only a week of 4 mth. i cant even leave him in his rocker to play at the moment. hopefully ot wont last to long
Wow - talk about clingy!!
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