Crying when you leave the room

Francesca - posted on 10/12/2010

Might be teething, or might just be the age. Mine is the same way right now.
My general philosophy is
1) Don't hide the fact you're leaving
2) Offer distractions like toys or a companion (Dad, sitter, or for instance I have a 3-year-old daughter who sometimes helps out by playing with the baby)
3) Don't respond right away to the crying. Give her a chance to self-sooth for a few minutes before you pick her up again.

Michelle - posted on 10/04/2010

We just moved into a new house and I cannot get a foot away without my 10 month old crying. I am not sure if it's the new house or if it's just that he's starting to become more clingy. Also, he's been having a rough time going down for naps and down for bed, too. He's been a dream since 4 months at naps and such, but now it's kind of a nightmare. Anyone else have this at 10 months?

Iyobosa - posted on 10/03/2010

my son is like that.He even wants me to breastfeed him every now and then and he sleeps in our room now

Sabrina - posted on 10/01/2010

My son is 9 months old and has started with this. If i stand up from the couch and move to a different area in the SAME room, so never out of sight, he still starts to fuss a little because he thinks I'm walking away. Its hard to get housework or anything done even if sum1 else is playing w/ him because everytime I leave his sight he screams. He's fine within jus a few minutes, but every time I pass by it starts all over again. Very frustrating. Luckily he has been going to daycare since 8 weeks old so when I drop him off there to go to work he does ok usually since he is used to seeing his teachers on a regular basis. Luckily I know the phase does get better and does eventually end...as my nephews had went through it w/ my sister. Plus I work in a daycare.

Cyndi - posted on 09/30/2010

I don't know how much is has to do directly with teething but at around 8-9 months until about 11-12 months most babies have realized that mommy and daddy are seperate from themselves but haven't yet grasped the idea that objects still exist when out of their sight. The poor little dears assume you have simply disappeared when they can't see you! It passes but may be a bit tough to get through for parents as well as baby. Hang in there! Singing or talking to your little one from the other room does help as well as 'popping' back into the room every few seconds to teach him/her that you will always come back.

Annie - posted on 09/29/2010

I just wanna pull my hair out an scream bloody murder lol,... Damn stages! Sorry thats about all I can say. :) I got threw thew the first kid now on to the second. I barley remember it. I'm sure i will remember this one. My 9 1/2 month old son already has his 2 bottom teeth now all at once is getting his 4 top teeth. So ya I wont forget this stage. Poor little guy.

Ambryn - posted on 09/29/2010

Well when I leave my 9 month old he never cries but when my mother leave he cries. This is a weird thing what does it mean?

Marissa - posted on 09/28/2010

So awesome to know I am not alone. My daughter will be 9 months and has recently started being very "clingy" and crying when i'm not around. She started crying with the daycare or with anyone when I leave. I also make sure and wave and reassure her I will be back each time I leave. Glad this is just a stage that all of our lil ones are going through!

Corinna - posted on 09/28/2010

Our babies are becoming more aware now of what is going on. Their mind is developing. My baby girl has also become more clingy and crawls after me and pulls herself up on me. She wakes up when she notices I am not there, has a very light sleep and wants my attention most of the time

Jontae - posted on 09/28/2010

My daughter does the same thing but it is if I am leaving her with someone she is not very use to (someone she doesnt see that often) like her grandmas! But it is normal from what I hear and hopefully will pass soon..

Ceri-ann - posted on 09/28/2010

When I go to work my baby comes and waves goodbye at the door. That way he doesn't get upset.

Jo - posted on 09/27/2010

good to know we're not alone in this ;) my son is 9.5mths and has been like this for about a mth now. He does have days where he can play by himself with his toys for awhile and doesnt seem to be so clingy, but then there are other days where he's super clingy and only mum will do. kinda cute but does get tiring& hard to get stuff done around the house :S but like they say, "this too shall pass". i don't have much advice to give - i tend to just go with the flow - if he's having one of those super clingy days, i just carry him around and spend alot of time with him. good luck! and remember that this stage should pass :)

Candice - posted on 09/26/2010

My son is almost 9 months and has started doing this. I can't even go to the bathroom without him crying. When I'm trying to tidy, I'll put on a DVD for him, he'll watch for 5 mins and realise I've gone and crawl down the hallway crying looking for me. Its testing and heard it's only a stage they go through..I hope!

Sonya - posted on 09/26/2010

I LOVE THE CLINGYNESS! My son is a sweet little cling-on, but will learn that life's tough and Mum does what Mum wants. It's still kinda cool though.

Jamie - posted on 09/26/2010

My duaghter did this for about 2 months and she is 9 months and she just got her first 2 teeth with in the last 3 weeks. my doctor says that they can become very mommy clingy when teething

Ntombikayise - posted on 09/24/2010

My son is like that as well he even cries at night and wants me to breastfeed him and now i'm sleeping with him in our bedroom so i won't have to walk to his room tripping and falling because i'm asleep because this stage is a nightmare i hope it will pass soon

Carly - posted on 09/21/2010

My daughter can be the same, thankfully not all the time anymore but i find that if i try to leave the room without her seeing me she doesnt really bother then even when she notices im gone its the seeing me leave that really gets her even if her daddy has her i guess shes just a mummys girl!

Ashley - posted on 09/21/2010

Oh my like everyone else my little lady is having this same ordeal! it's so hard because i'm in the middle of packing with no help... but everytime she gets tired of her toys she will follow me around and start screaming like a maniac! I can't keep carrying her around while packing bc it's not going to help either of us. I just feel horrible letting her cry(which is what i'm being told to do bc I "never let her down" but i do!!! I know she's going through this dont leave me stage bc daddy just left for his new job for a couple weeks and i think she thinks i'm going to leave also but i never go anywhere with out her just only at the house do i walk into another room. If anyone finds a way around this whole dont leave me stage please post!

Janice - posted on 09/19/2010

Yep. We've hit the separation anxiety phase. Thank goodness for baby-wearing. I just toss him in the Ergo on my back and go about my business. Or I carry him around.. Right now they just need to know that mommy is there and to feel secure. By carrying them(and not ignoring them), we are helping them feel secure in the world. Which is extremely important.

Kate - posted on 09/18/2010

my daughter has just started doin this and as was said in another post, I just have to walk across the room away from her and she starts crying, most of the time when I leave the room, she cries but follows me whereever I went

Jennifer - posted on 09/18/2010

I find when I wave good bye and leave it's a lot better. He gets the kick out of waving now and that seems to make it less upsetting. I wish I had an open concept kitchen living room dinning room to make my life easier but such is life. Otherwise I sing from the kitchen and that buys me some time too. Good luck.

Darlene - posted on 09/18/2010

My son is at this stage too. I don't even have to leave the room. Just change positions!! I remember this stage for my older son. It doesn't last forever, just feels like it does. :)! I still leave the room, using reassuring words, and I talk to him from the other room. He can crawl, so sometimes he follows me. I always give him a hug when I come back, but try not to pick him up, just distract him with toys.