Clingy McClingerton

Both of my (nearly) 9 month olds are really clingy. They can be fine, playing together - or alone, for decent stretches as long as I'm not around, but they're getting mobile-ish now so I need to keep an eye on them. I wonder if I'm being too much of a pushover, picking them up when they cry. I try to leave them to sort themselves out, but they get so sad! I have no idea if there's a fix for this other than time, but I just want to know if other people are dealing with this.

 

Went thru this with my older kids. Perfect normal. My DD would SCREAM if I left the room....even if I just left of a second. It is part of the separation anxiety.

 

Seperation Anxiety is different for everykid. My Big Z is full on mobile and can follow me where ever I go, yet If i walk away she will cry, like man come on and play some more, but someday we will want to eat dinner. So if you starts to play forgets I walked away we are golden, UNtil she sees me again. It starts all over. I don't run to her mercy everytime, it's based on the cry and situaion. I ussually make her come to me. I will stop half way and she'll crawl to me, if she makes it away we go for some extra mama time, I ussually throw her in the sling and we'll cook dinner together. Then when I put her back down she is better now that she had some one on one time. Thats what i do. GL

 

I think it's perfectly normal. Sometimes I would pick them up and sometimes I would just walk over and try and distract them with something instead of picking them up. Hang in there.

 

Yes, Evan is in this phase, for the past week or so. If I am not in the room and he can't see me, it is fine. But if I miss my opportunity to sneak by him and he sees me, he starts fussing.

 

Both of mine are like this too. If I'm not visible then they are fine though. When I get home from work, I play with them for a bit on the floor and then leave to get dinner ready. While dinner is cooking I'll go back and play more. They just want to be near me and climb all over me. When I get up to leave them, they will cry for a minute or 2 and then realize I'm not coming back to get them and be fine.

 

I think comforting your babies when they need it is a good thing.

As they can play together for periods of time, it is only natural that there will be times that they will want & need to be physically connected to you. I fully believe that giving them what they need makes them more sure of life around them and willing to be alone/do things alone. They know that they can go forth and when they are unsure you will be right there.

Never be afraid of ruining your baby.