Hello,
I am a mother of two and am the care taker for my 6 month old nephew. I was wondering if any of you have experienced a child who won't let you leave the room. My nephew went through the "hold me stage" and now that he will let us put him down, we can't turn our back to him even for a minute. The second we turn around to walk away from him he screams. We have tried leaving him for 10 - 15 minutes at a time to see if he would calm himself down and play with the toys he was left with, but he just gets louder and louder. Any suggestions would be great.
It could be a phase. My first child went through it at 6 months. He got better with time. And now, at 18 months, he's going through another bout of separation anxiety.
My 4 month old is starting to get cranky when he can't see me also... so I guess this phase is creeping up on him too.
That's just one idea. My baby liked to be held all the time.. pretty much until he crawled... :) Fun stuff!
It is normal. The best thing you can do is not run and pick him up. At 6 mos he will pick up fast if he cries you will run to him.
Nobody likes a baby to cry but he is going through normal separation anxiety and just even talking to him when you are out of the room and him seeing eventually you return will help him along. It is a phase, both my kids went through it at one point or another a few times until they were 3 ! Just talk calmly to him when you leave the room, let him hear you talking, singing or whistling he will get over it, promise.
Separation anxiety is very common and just a natural part of development. For many at 6 mos if something is out of sight, it is also completely gone.
Playing games with your baby like "peek-a-boo" are great to teach object permanence. Play it lots of ways - cover your eyes and say "where's mommy?". Stuffed animal under a blanket - "where's doggy?" Here he is!! Putting toys in a box, etc. You might also consider talking to your baby as you walk around the room. When you are going to turn a corner, announce it and then play peek-a-boo as you pop your head back in the room.
best of luck to you!
Kids at this age really believe you no longer exsist when you leave the room. It might help to keep talking to your nephew while you are out of the room. He won't understand everything but it gives them a sense of security. Good luck!!!
Just throw him in the carrier (we love the ergo because she can ride on the front, back or side) and go about what you were doing. Once he's secure and knows you're there, it won't matter as much and you'll be able to put him down for longer. But with a carrier, you can still get things done & he's happy. Best of luck!
It took him a while to let you put him down. It will take a while for him to let you leave the room. He is needing to develop a sense of security with you. So play with him and talk to him and all of those things when he is on the floor. If you need to go do something in another room, take him with. Baby carries others recommended are great!
I agree w/ previous response. But also, play peek-a-boo w/him or a slow version of a shell game (even just one shell could be used) - they're major tools for teaching kids that just 'cause they can't see something doesn't mean it disappears forever.
Babies at this age congitively have not developed object permanance. so out of site out of mind and it's scary for them.
my son does the same. i tell him, "i need to go to ____. if you want to come, you can. Then i tell him to come on. he mostly comes or has me carry him, but sometimes he doesn't want to and will continue playing.
This is very normal at this age. I would just stick him in an Ergo baby carrier (excellent carrier, actually comfortable to use!) and carry him around much of the day until he out grows this stage. I know it is tough, but this stage won't last forever, and by carrying him around, you are giving him confidence in your presence. I do think hide and seek or the shell game are great ideas as well. Even peek-a-boo, played with a pillowcase or something that hides you, would be helpful.
Good luck!
