My 7 1/2 month old recently started crying everytime I set him down.?

Question

He will cry until I pick him back up. He doesn't want his daddy either, only mommy. This has been going on for about a week now. I assume this is normal, but how do I deal with this and help him work through it. How long does this phase last.

Answer 1

Awww...he's spoiled!!! Thats really cute when they are little!!! You better break it now girl!!!

Answer 2

Your child is starting to experience seperation anxiety. It's another sign that your little one is growing up and developing normally. My daughter went through it at about the same age. What really helped us is whenever I put her down, I'd talk to her while I was doing whatever it was on my agenda at the time. I'd sing a song to her, or play peek a boo by hiding behind kitchen counters and such. It lasted a couple of months- and it can be frustrating seeing your little one cry like that. But just keep telling yourself it's normal, and he'll grow out of it in a few weeks. Good luck with your little man, and I hope all works out soon.

Answer 3

This is perfectly normal. between 6 and 8 months is when your infant suddenly is able to recognize and become attached to certain family members. This is also the when the ability to experience and percieve "Seperation Anxiety" begins... I can't remember when it stops...but I don't think it's any time soon...I have a seven month old that is just starting with that...and I'm not concerned. It's inconvenient...but take it as a compliment. Baby knows who his favorite is.

Answer 4

When my daughter went through this phase I had to just let her cry for a short while, but in order for me to be able to do that I literally had to shut myself in another room and plug my ear's because the sound of her crying just killed me. I never left her very long, but she eventually got over it. Good luck. That part of parenting is so very hard!

Answer 5

This is normal, but he needs to learn that he's okay when he's by himself on the floor for a few minutes. Just talk to him and tell him it's allright. This phase will only last a few weeks, until he learns that he doesn't have to be attached to you at all times.

Answer 6

Well my son is 5 months old and he is happy when i pick him up but if i put him down in his crib he will cry but i think its just normal because all i do is give him his binky and a toy and he is laughing or he just goes back to sleep.... but i think its because he is so used to getting picked up that when you put him down he cries and throws a fit..

Answer 7

Do all babies experience separation anxiety?
Yes, to a degree. At certain stages, most babies or toddlers will show true anxiety and be upset at the prospect — or reality — of being separated from a parent. If you think about separation anxiety in evolutionary terms, it makes sense: A defenseless baby would naturally get upset at being separated from the person who protects and cares for him.

In many ways, attitudes about babies and separations are cultural. Western countries tend to stress autonomy from a very early age. But in many other cultures, infants are rarely separated from their mother in the first year of life.

Regardless of the origins of this normal developmental stage, it's frustrating for babies and parents. The good news is that separation anxiety will pass and there are ways to make it more manageable. And in the meantime, enjoy the sweetness of knowing that to your child, you're number one.

When does it most commonly occur?
Babies can show signs of separation anxiety as early as 6 or 7 months, but the crisis age for most babies is between 12 to 18 months. Most commonly, separation anxiety strikes when you or your spouse leaves your child to go to work or run an errand. Babies can also experience separation anxiety at night, safely tucked in their cribs with Mom and Dad in the next room.

How can I help my baby through it?
Several options are available to parents:

Option I
Minimize separations as much as possible and take your baby along if he seems to feel anxious. With this option, you're basically waiting for your baby to outgrow this stage.

Option II
If you have to leave your baby — for example, to return to work — try leaving him with people who are familiar, like his father, grandmother, or aunt. Your baby may still protest, but he might adjust more easily to your absence when surrounded by well-known faces.

Option III
If you need to leave your child with someone he doesn't know, give him a chance to get to know his caregiver while you're still around. (See below.)

How should I prepare my baby for separations?
As with any transition, give your baby an opportunity to gradually get used to the idea. Whether you're leaving him with a family member or a paid childcare provider, try the following suggestions:
• Let your baby get comfortable. Ask a new sitter to visit and play with your baby several times before leaving them alone for the first time. For your first real outing, ask the sitter to arrive about 30 minutes before you depart so that she and the baby can be well engaged before you step out the door. Employ the same approach at a daycare center or at your nursery, church, or health club.

• Always say goodbye. Kiss and hug your baby when you leave and tell him where you're going and when you'll be back, but don't prolong your goodbyes.

• Always say goodbye: Part 2. Resist the urge to sneak out the back door. Your baby will only become more upset if he thinks you've disappeared into thin air.

• Keep it light. Your baby is quite tuned in to how you feel, so show your warmth and enthusiasm for the caregiver you've chosen. And don't cry or act upset if your baby starts crying — at least not while he can see you. You'll both get through this. The caregiver will probably tell you later that your baby's tears stopped before you were even out of the driveway.

• Once you leave, leave. Repeated trips back into the house or daycare center to calm your baby will make it harder on you, your child, and the caregiver.

• Try a trial at first. Limit the first night (or afternoon) out to no more than an hour. As you and baby become more familiar with the sitter or the surroundings of a childcare setting, you can extend your outings.

How should we handle nighttime separation anxiety?
Your baby's fear of being separated from you at night is very real for him, so you'll want to do your best to keep the hours preceding bedtime as nurturing and peaceful (and fun) as possible. In addition:

• Spend some extra cuddle time with your baby before bed by reading, snuggling, and softly singing together.

• If your baby cries for you after you've put him to bed, it's fine to go to him — both to reassure him and to reassure yourself that he's okay. But make your visits "brief and boring," and he'll learn to fall back to sleep without a lot of help from you. Eventually, he'll be able to fall asleep on his own.

What if nothing seems to work?
Babies have different personalities, so some will experience more severe bouts of separation anxiety than others. If your child can't be comforted using simple measures, it's time to reevaluate.

• Take a second look at your sitter or daycare center. The person or center may be a mismatch for your baby if he continues to become anxious and weepy when you leave.

• Leave your baby with a relative or someone he knows well for 15-minute periods, working your way up to one hour. Your baby can then learn that when you leave you'll return, without having the added stress of being with someone unfamiliar.

• Reevaluate your goodbye pattern. Do you sneak out when your baby isn't looking? Do you make it seem like you're going off to war? Do you slowly back down the walk waving and crying until your baby's out of sight? A simple "see you later, alligator" followed by a quick hug and a kiss can do wonders for an anxious child. Your actions show your baby that leaving isn't big deal, and that you'll be home again soon.

Answer 8

humm...sounds lil spoiled