17 Month Old Radically Changing...?

Hi. I don't want to get you more worried, but could she be getting abused by someone when you're not around (either physically or emotionally)? Although I'm not a pro, and this could be a normal part of her development, I would not rule anything out. Not to say you can't trust people around you, but you just never know. Good luck!

Hi N.,
You mentioned that your daughter was always a happy, well adjusted baby. You mentioned the infant room in church. But she isn't an infant any longer. She is a toddler. Toddlers can be clingy. Toddlers at 1 1/2 dont' need milk before breakfast or before bed, milk usually becomes a beverage that they drink with meals and they can certainly get their dairy just as well from other sources. Once they hit a year, food becomes their primary nutrition and milk becomes a beverage. If she's tired more, then maybe it's time to change bed and nap routines to reflect a toddler's activity level. If she's gone from two naps to one, she may need to nap earlier. She may also need her bedtime moved up earlier, toddlers are so very active that they really do wear themselves out during the course of the day. Kids change as they grow and develop, and parents need to grow and develop right along with them.
Good luck!

I might be wrong, but when I read what your 17 month old was doing, it sounds almost exactly like what my 17 month old daughter has been doing- being clingy. My daughter has no problems drinking milk, but for the past month, she has been extremely clingy to me and she has started to bang her head- on the floor or into her father or sister. I think part of it is the age, but I believe the other reason why both of our daughters are behaving this way is because they know we are pregnant. I am 3 months along right now too. I have another daughter, who is 17 years old, and I really don't remember her being this way at all, but I didn't have any other children until my second daughter (16 years later). I've noticed that when I cuddle and play with my daughter even more, she gets less clingy. I also assure her that if I leave that I'll be right back and she seems to stop crying almost immediately after I leave. She is always left with either my husband or 17 year old, so I think that helps. I work from home, so I am with her all day and I don't know if that helps or makes the clinging worst or better. I think both of our daughters will eventually out grow the clingy thing. Please let me know if you find something that really works and I will do the same.

Could she be getting molars?

My 16 month old has become more clingy to me lately and a few other changes left me wondering... turns out, she had two giant lumps in her mouth that broke through in a few days. Teeth are still coming in but she seems to be back to normal.

She sounds normal to me. My son is almost two and he's constantly changing on me. Some weeks he acts like your daughter, others he's the complete opposite. I believe its just him growing physically and mentally, but still being a baby in reality. They have a lot to process in this world and they are growing in so many ways by the minute. I suggest being patient with her and guiding her as best as you can to help her be comfortable, utilize her new skills and emotions and grow. I remember at 18 months (and at every major developmental stage) that my son would change.

Hey there. A couple of different theories are coming to mind as I read your post.

The reason there is a separation anxiety phase around a year old is because that is around when they start walking. Instinctually, with a new found independence, it is very important that they fear going too far from mommy. Since she just started walking, it makes perfect sense that her fear of being away from you is stronger. She will grow more confident with her new abilities and become less clingy eventually.

As far as the milk goes... at this age their growth slows down tremendously. I see my daighter polish off all her milk and eat all her food some days... and then go long stretches without drinking milk and barely touching her food. They know how much they need. They are so much better at that then us. She is probably at a growth lull and just doesn't need the milk right now. Keep offering it so when she has another growth spurt, it's available.

Also, by reading one of your other suggestions, I am wondering the same thing about your pregnancy. I am 5 month pregnant right now and a month ago my daughter (20 months) completely stopped hugging or kissing me. She outright refuses and gets mad if I try. She is still very affectionate to my husband and parents. It is a different behavior from what you are experiencing, but nonethless, her behavior has changed since I have been pregnant.... so it could be related.

So my advice is, not to worry and accept this as a phase with several different factors. Nurture her and make her feel secure and she will eventually move on to new behaviors with her new stages of life.

i could be a # of things something the nanny is doing ever consider a nanny cam to watch what is happeneing while your gone or the fact that your pregnant again alot times toddlers sense it

R.

I imagine her new issues are directly related to her newly found skill of walking. My daughter would do this with most new phases. She just didn't know how to processes her new world and she showed her irritability in many of the same ways your daughter has. This too will pass and she will even out.

Not to alarm you, but what is the relationship like between the nanny and your daughter? Unexpected visits wouldn't be a bad idea.