Why is my 13 month old so fussy and won't play by herself EVER?

Question

My 13 month old daughter is the fussiest baby ever. She screams if I don't sit right on the floor next to her while she plays. She is my 4th child and the only one to carry on like this. I am at my wits end. I can't even go to the bathroom unless Daddy or one of the siblings is there with her. She just screams and fusses all of the time. Does anyone have any ideas on how to get her to play by herself. Other than the fussiness, she is pretty much average. She is still breastfed but eats normal food and drinks juice from a cup. She is starting to walk and only says a couple of words so she can't exactly tell me what is wrong with her. I play with her most of the day just to keep her from crying. I am starting to worry about my older children because I feel like I am hardly even parenting them because the 'baby' takes up sooooo much of my time. Dad tries to help but it is really a lot of stress on the whole family. Thanks in advance for your help!

Answer 1

my son acted like that when he was teething. so if it just started maybe that is what's happening if its been like that her whole life then i'm not sure. maybe you could make a play date for her to be around other kids her age so she can see what they do with their time and maybe want to join in?

Answer 2

I don't know if it really has anything to do with it, but I let my daughter have a lot of free play time alone when she was a baby. I would do some housework and she was always content to just play by herself. My friend's son on the other hand, he is the same way as your daughter. They held him constantly when he was a baby and now you can't leave the room without him screaming like a banshee. It's quite frustrating. When I babysit him,I make sure he is dry and fed and I just put him down, and go on with what I was doing. He does get upset and cries for 10 minutes or so, but then he turns his interest to a toy or book.



I hope you get some peace and quiet soon! :)