Help! Need strategies for separation anxiety in thirteen month old

[NicNac]

My 13 month old has recently developed a huge case of separation anxiety. I know she is at that age, but we have also recently (one month ago) moved into a new house, which I think is the trigger for her anxiety.
She is very clingy at home, which we are dealing with ok, but it is day care that is the real issue. I am due to return to work mid August and since the end of May have been (very) slowly getting her used to family day care for the three days per week that I will be working, mainly by putting her into care for a couple of hours and building up to half days.
Until last week, she had no problem going but we had a break of a couple of weeks when we moved and she was sick and when she went back to care, she was very unhappy. She screamed for three hours the first day and two hours the second day, and only stopped because I picked her up early.
She is happy enough at care if her carer carries her everywhere but if she gets put down and/or the carer leaves the room, she basically throws what appears to be a tantrum, which stops the second she is picked up.
I have tried to "build up" care by saying "we are off to #insert carer's name#, how exciting" etc etc, and I currently encouraging her relationship with her teddy so that she take him for comfort.
This is my first baby, so I am looking for some tried and true suggestions on the possible ways to deal with this.
Thanks in advance.

[NicNac]

Bumping

[onthefly]

Buildig a sense of security is really the only way to deal with it, and that's pretty much what you're doing from the sound of things.
IN a way, it's reassuring that she is so demanding of her carer - she obviously feels more secure with her.

[MumtoA]

Hey Hun,

My dd is 15 months and was very similar. She didn't scream to that extent after I was gone or so they told me anyway but she would get very upset when I dropped her off. I think you are def doing the right thing by encouraging her with the Teddy. Dd has a duck which I give her as soon as we get to day care and then I give her to her favorite carer. I give her a kiss while she is in the carers arms and tell her I will pick her up later. Even if she is screaming and trying to grab me I still give her the kiss and say that and leave her in the carers arms. Then as I walk out the door the carer distracts her with all her favourite things there, the fish, drawings on the walls etc. By the timei get to the door she is so distracted by everything that she forgets that she was upset.

I never walk out without kissing her and saying goodbye but the distractions really work well and having the duck is a def bonus.

Good luck with your little one. It does pass and she will be ok again. We moved a the same time as well so I feel your pain. But i honestly believe it is worse for us than it is for them! I used to cry as well when I got back to the car! Hahaha xo