My mother in law keeps my son while I work and the entire time we're home he wants to just be held or throws a tantrum (8 months old). I think it's because he's being held all day, my husband thinks not. Any comments? We have to get this under control, I can't even go to the bathroom!
2007-04-12 07:35:17 · 19 answers · asked by CASEY 2 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Newborn & Baby
Its normal for an 8 month old baby to want to be held. They go through separation anxiety at this age. Especially since you work your son could be exhibiting the natural tendency to want to be held by you when he sees you. He doesn't understand why you were gone from him for a long period of time. All he knows is that he has you and doesn't want to let you go. I say just hold him no matter how hard it is until he gets over this. Once he is really active and crawling he won't want to be held as much. As for going to the bathroom...have your husband hold him while you go, even if he does cry. A little crying will not hurt him.
2007-04-12 07:58:44 · answer #1 · answered by Moo Moo Mair 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Oh mother-in-laws. . . . . what can I say. . . . . Have you talked to her about this? My best guess is that he IS being held ALL day that's what grandmothers do. . . . go on a spoiling binge. And you are right this needs to get under control. If you are trying to not hurt her feelings, get a baby gym or some other activities that your son can do, where she CAN'T hold him. Or asks her that you are having a little bit of trouble keeping the house up. Leave some dirty dishes out or laundry and ask her if she would mind doing it. Believe me I'm sure she won't mind, and the best part. . . . can't hold baby!!! Good luck to you.
2007-04-12 14:49:03 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Maybe he just misses you? I think if I were a baby and my mom was gone all day, I would want to be held and loved by her. The best way to get him over the tantrums is to put him down. Let him cry and go th the bathroom. He will soon realize that you are coming back and he can't get whatever he wants by crying.
2007-04-12 14:44:28 · answer #3 · answered by e_imommy 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You and your son are lucky if your mother in law holds him a lot. Babies need to be held, and it shows that your mother in law is in tune to his needs. He is probably also wanting to be held by you when you get home b/c he hasn't seen you all day and misses you. Try getting a baby sling so that you can hold your baby on your front or back and have your hands free. He won't be a baby for long. Soon he won't want to let you hold him, so enjoy holding him while you can.
2007-04-12 14:56:07 · answer #4 · answered by erin b 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes, that is probably it. I know the feeling! My daughter is 1 1/2 and is very clingy. I can't leave the room without her throwing a fit.
I held her constantly the first few months, and when I put her in daycare, they had to break her slowly of that need to be held. Now, when she's in daycare, she's fine, running all over the place and doesn't need to be held hardly ever. But you're going to have to discuss it with your mother in law, and tell her that she needs to help you help your child become more independent. Explain to her what is happening.
Good luck!
2007-04-12 14:44:28 · answer #5 · answered by purplebinky 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
That's hard to tell but your baby is so young that it is natural for him to want you to hold him constantly. I am sure he is missing you. It is too early to talk about getting it under control imo. If you need to use the bathroom or need some time hand him to your husband or put him in his infant seat and do what you need to do. He will be okay. But hold him as much as you can now because soon he will be running all around! LoL Take great care. :)
2007-04-12 14:45:36 · answer #6 · answered by Sugah 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It doesn't hurt to go over the day's activities with your sitter...even set up a routine for her to follow that you feel suits your child best. But he probably has been missing you and needs the extra cuddly time when you get home. You could also put him into a portable seat and move him from room to room with you as you do things. You'd be amazed how interested they can get int what you are doing and are happy to be at your side. It isn't uncommon for a bit of separation anxiety from time to time:)
2007-04-12 14:48:08 · answer #7 · answered by ? 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
This seems so obvious to me from the outside...
You are lucky that if you have to have a sitter, it's family, first of all.
Second.... your baby is at that age just before walking that things can be so frustrating because they wanna just get up and go! So being held is way more fun, they are up high, can see things, etc...
And third, and most important, your baby misses you. Your baby is having anxiety that you are going to disappear. In his little mind, he just gets warmed up to you, and poof! He's with granny again. He loves you, and he wants to be with you & it's pretty natural. He's too young to be away from you all day.
Mom of 2.
2007-04-12 14:43:11 · answer #8 · answered by Andrea B 2 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Could be a combination of things.
*8 mos is during that nasty window of time for stranger anxiety which means even if he's never around strangers, he may still be extra clingy with you
*getting a taste for independence in mobility, but isn't independently mobile so he's frustrated and wants to hitch a ride with you to explore
*My daughter gets super clingy when she gets tired. Won't let me put her down.
2007-04-12 14:59:38 · answer #9 · answered by ladybug 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's obvious he doesn't see you all day, he just misses you so he wants you to hold him and spend time with him. You should probably talk to your mother-in-law and solve the problem before it's too late.
2007-04-12 14:42:55 · answer #10 · answered by ilzjux 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋