Wow - talk about clingy!!
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!