2 month old will cry continuously if mom doesnt hold her. Dad cannot calm her. Anyone experience this?

Question

I didnt think separation anxiety started till 9 months. Any suggestions?

Answer 1

Your baby just spent 9 months attached to your wife. Your baby still thinks she's part of your wife. It's what she knows. For now, you're not forming any habits. There's nothing wrong with responding to your child. Your wife can look at baby wraps or slings, that will help. As your child gets older, at about 3-4 months or so, they'll be more willing to take your attention vs. moms.

It's not separation anxiety at this stage. Separation anxiety happens when a child realizes they are separate from their mother but has not yet grasped the concept of object permanence.

For now, this is just a more mom-intensive point in baby's life. As baby gets older, she'll respond more to you, dad. Be patient :)

Answer 2

sounds like my life. There are only 2 people in the world as far as my 6 week old is concerned... "momma" and "not momma". Seperation anxeity starts anytime after birth, sorry. Will she take a bottle from daddy? That may buy you some time. Is daddy anxious when he holds her, she may pick up on that and get anxious in return. Good luck, and if all else fails you may just have to let her cry a little, I mean you have to eat and pee sometimes, right?

Answer 3

I (typing this with a baby sleeping on me in a sling) thoroughly second the suggestion to get a sling or wrap or front-pack carrier or whatever and 'wear' your baby.

In my experience, the more a baby is held, the better they are with being put down when you really need to put them down. It's almost as if they can store up the cuddles and draw on that reserve when they need to...

re. "Let her cry it out little by little and soon she'll be just fine without you holding her" -- that is a mean thing to do to one so young, and not something backed by research.

See

http://www.talaris.org/pdf/research/CIOPoster.pdf

for a start.

Answer 4

Both of my daughters was cried unless i was holding them. Their father tried and even the grandparents tried but nothing would do except for me. But i think it was because i am with them 24/7, im a stay @ home mom. But now they are 22 months and 7 months and they have gotten alot better about letting others hold them and i can even leave the room now without them screaming. It will get better, i know its hard now but they dont stay little forever. Good luck. Happy Thanksgiving

Answer 5

Every parent experiences this.

Separation anxiety simply means the child becomes anxious apart from your body because they dont know how to be comfortable in theirs, and in their situation.

You teach them how to be content and comfortable by not reacting to their panic whenever you're not holding them. Put her down, let her scream where she can see you and hear you. Show her some exciting things, like a window or the tv or a bright toy, talk to her, and do your dishes. When you're done and she's calm pick her back up.

Give her to people where she can see you and hear you. Pat her head, tell her she's fine stay where she can see you, talk to her, and let her fuss until she calms down.

Every time you pick her back up because she's screaming your confirming to her that her fear of being apart is well founded and she is indeed unsafe without you.

Let her cry it out little by little and soon she'll be just fine without you holding her.

Answer 6

I would try holding the baby next to daddy and letting him comfort her whiles your holding her to get her used to him.

Answer 7

it's because dad is probably nervous, since baby always cries for him. he has to stay calm, keep his heart rate down, and whisper sweetly. baby will adjsut. give it time, keep trying.