Have I spoiled my baby?

Jackie - posted on 08/25/2009

Jessica let me tell you what my mother and grandmother always told me. Food spoils... children don't. Your 6 month old has figured out she can demand her needs. Unfortantly she doesn't know what patience is and sure doesn't know what your time line is or what you need to get done. You could try what we do with my niece... we tell her one minute and talk to her the whole time from the other room. Sure she isn't always happy about it but she has slowly learned that "I'll be right back" means just that. The other thing is if you are going to be gone in another room for a while and aren't say in the shower... you could bring her into the new room so she can see what you are doing and not feel so left out. I would make a point to bring the swing or whatever she is doing with her. So she can realize you aren't nearly as interesting as what she was already doing. Good luck and remember babys don't spoil.

Shelly - posted on 08/19/2009

My son is also 6 months old. He constantly wants to be by my side. Even if my husband is around, he wants me. I am a stay at home mom so he is with me 24/7. Even when I leave my son with my husband, my mother-in-law, my mom, or anyone else that he knows, he won't eat. All he wants is me!

Robin - posted on 08/18/2009

I noticed that with my son who is now 8 1/2 mo he just likes being in the same room and he is happy, so we just let him follow us into the room we are going to and go on with what we need to do, and no you have not spoiled her, our baby is one of the best you could ask for and was doing that, babies dont like to feel alone, ALSO I was told that in the mind of a baby when they can not see you its like you dont exist until you come back, so to them you like died or something! I am sure she will grow out of it, also sometimes let her fuss, make sure she has a bottle and toys and give her a kiss to say I love you but then even though she cant understand yet say mommy has to go do the dishes or go to the bathroom, and I think eventually she will be ok

Melissa - posted on 08/18/2009

I agree babys like to fake you out. But after you learn it is kinda funny after a while knowing a little baby can sike out an adult.

Melissa - posted on 08/18/2009

I am pregnent and I have done so much baby sitting. I basicly rasied some of my cousins. I am on my frist pregnentcy and I was told by grandmothers and my own mother that sometimes you gotta let the baby cry even if it bothers you to hear your child cry. I also heard that spoiling a child is not a bad thing. But sometimes you gotta let them cry it out, But it dont mean to let them cry for hours try alittle to a time.

Minnie - posted on 08/18/2009

Are you serious?

Consider what we are as a species: primates- who carry their young on their bodies 24/7 and sleep with them at night. We are not mammals who leave their young in a nest during the day.

Human infants are supremely vulnerable. It is a very basic instinct for her to want to be with you all the time. Don't force her to go against that instinct.

Michelle - posted on 08/18/2009

when i came to UK i was a mothers help in here. also she was a childminder, so we had other kids. I remember we had 2 boys from neighbourhood, they used to behave exactly the same like ur daughter, and usually we eneded up with holding them in our arms, but one day we just decided to leave them to it, they would cry for little while (only when they start screaming for attention we would pick them up), so they gotused to that they cant be hold all the time, its a bit heartbreaking watching a little baby to cry, but it is worth it cos they will understand that we are not going nowhere so they can play while we doing other things. of course keeping an eye on them.

good luck!

Tina - posted on 08/17/2009

I remember my son going through this to a ridiculous degree as a 9 month old. I just acted like I was calm and sang showtunes in the next room, so he knew I still existed. He got over it soon enough. Now he is 25, and hardly calls. He is however capable of recognizing showtunes! This too shall pass.

Ashley - posted on 08/17/2009

My daughter is 9 months and is doing this pretty much all of the time, whenever I walk away from her...even if I only take 3 steps. I don't think it's because we've spoiled them, I don't believe you can spoil a baby anyway. This is the time (6-9 months) when they start expressing separation anxiety. So I think it's just a stage and they will grow out of it. Whenever Avery whines when I walk away I continue to talk to her and say "come on honey, come with mommy into the kitchen" or whatever. They aren't spoiled they just need to learn that just because we leave the room or the house doesn't mean we won't come back...we always come back. It will take time but they will figure it out. Your baby is soooo cute!

Sabrina - posted on 08/17/2009

one it could be seperation anxiety..................................she feels safest with you.......so whom ever is in the room with her needs to distract her by playing................... it will take some time but the anxiety will leave her

Stephanie - posted on 08/15/2009

My daughter is just under 6 months old and has JUST begun doing the same thing. I mean, it kind of makes me feel good for a second, but then as soon as she cries I feel like crap. It seems to be anytime other people want to hold her ( my inlaws included ) I need to be standing right there talking to her or she screams. Its so frustrating and Im glad to hear some others have been through it and it gets better. Keep your head up, best of luck! Hopefully we'll all get through this!

Colleen - posted on 08/12/2009

My son is 10 weeks and he does this. He's very needy and it makes it hard to get anything done.

Denise - posted on 08/11/2009

This is not a result of spoiling your baby. This is indicating the level of your baby's attachment to you. A healthy attachment results in baby's making strange, getting upset when you leave and being excited when you come back. It also indicates the stage of development they are in when they start to understand object permanence and realize that you exist even when they can't see you and that you have left them. As they continue to develop, they will start to understand and trust that you will return. I would talk to them when you are out of their line of sight, reassure them that you are still around and returning. They will get through this stage you just need to give them lots of encouragement and patience.

Kimmy - posted on 08/11/2009

My son is 4 moths and he does the same thing. If I am in hearing range of him I just talk to him and i usually calms him down and when I leave th room for a quick second I tell him I am leaving and as soon as I get back I let him know and I tell him that its ok and I didn't leave him for good. I know how you feel sometimes I feel a though m son is spoiled too.

Sara - posted on 08/11/2009

I think that's totally normal, you're not doing anything wrong and you haven't spoiled her. The only way you can deal with it I think is to not give in to it. If she starts whining, let her whine and you get up and do whatever it was that you are going to do. My daughter does this to me when I go into the kitchen (we have a divider up between the living room and kitchen) and she can't follow me. So, i just talk to her while she whines and I do what it is I went in there to do. You'll get through it!

Jackie - posted on 08/11/2009

My daughter did the same thing around 7 months, but once she was able to move around herself she didn't care so much. She's 9 months now and can crawl so now when i leave the room she just follows me. I bet once she starts to crawl she'll be ok.

Kaitlan - posted on 08/11/2009

All baby's go through this stage, my son was 17 weeks the first time he cried when i left the room, he soon grew out of it but now he coughs to get my attention!! I panick everytime as he had a problem with choking. I found that talking to him whilst i was out of the room was the best way to deal with it. Saying what you are doing or even singing. When your daughter is used to you being away from her i would recommend leaving her on her own for 5 mins then gradully increasing the time, just checking now and again. My son is 6 months now and is not bothered at all whether i am there or not! I find this more annoying now :(



Hope this helps