Baby Needs Attention ALL the Time

Seperation anxiety usually happens around 9 mos or so. My daughter started at 6 mos! The only thing you can do (that I found to be somewhat successful) - is kind of play hide n seek. Get out of his view for a minute, talk to him so he can hear you, and then pop back in and say "see Mommy is right here". Then slowly increase the amount of time you are out of his sight. I felt that leaving my daughter to cry made it much worse but I also learned how to include her in my daily chores without it being a disaster (either the mess or her freaking out).

Well if that's what he needs, it may be easier just to accept it and find a way to deal. Some babies are needier than others. It is best to meet their needs, otherwise you might just end up with prolonging the problem.

I agree with the posters who said to get a sling. I have used various slings (and still do at 22 mos). A wrap sling is great or a mei tei. I use the mei tei to this day and we are both happy with it. At this age it is our choice, my daughter no longer needs my constant attention-so don't feel that it will be forever. But with your babe in a sling you can be doing things with your DD, doing housework, etc and baby will be happy to be with you.

Hi. My 15 month old is still like that. He always has to have me. I purchased a sling from slingling.com It is wonderfual I don't know how I ever lived w/o one and they hold up to 40 lbs. This allsows me to have free hands to play w/ my 6 year old and do housework. I highly recommend one of these slings. I ordered it over the internet and had it 3 days. Good luck w/ your son.

Hi G.!!
I loved reading this because I had a preemie myself. He was born 3.5 months early. (1 lb 11oz) I love finding moms of other preemies!! Sounds like your son is doing great. Do you have birth to 3 involved? (If you don't mind me asking) :)
I was a high school teacher prior to having to leave my job to stay home with my preemie in order not to put him in a daycare setting with some of his health issues. I have since then been working from home and have replaced my income with a wonderful team and company and love that I can work it around my 2 boys. I am always looking for other moms to team up with and help whether it's to help pay off debt, supplement their income or even replace it as I have and as I have been able to help so many others. Please feel free to visit my website at: www.successfulmoms.net

As for your concern: I would try a few things. I would try giving him something he likes to play with or bite or music when you leave the room. Sometimes I try to incorporate my oldest son in doing something with him, he's 4, for awhile as well. (great example is peek-a-boo or something simple that siblings love to do with one another.) And the hardest part is not to cave in every single time....because the next time just makes it that much harder and they will cry that much longer. Hope that helps a bit and hope things work out well for your little one. Thanks and Have a great day!
C. :)

Try the ergo baby carrier:

http://www.ergobabycarrier.com/

I don't wear my son all the time (my 7 month old is nearly 25lbs) but this carrier is very comfortable to wear and versatile. I put my son in it for an hour or so when he gets clingy. That seems to calm him down and after a while he gets down to play again.

If the clingyness is a new thing, you might want to mention it to your pediatrician. It's probably just a phase or a personality trait, but could also signal some other health problem.

argo baby makes a great sling that you can wear 3 different ways. To include on your back so you can support the weight.I receives 7 different kinds of carriers and this one sounds like it would be the best for you. I also love the slings but that is a lot of weight to hold on just your hip and shoulder. Good luck!!

I'd recommend a baby carrier that will use both shoulders and leave your hands free. This could be a wrap, mei tai, or soft structured carrier like a Becco. There's a Boston babywearing group with monthly meetings where you can try all these things out, I think they meet next week - check www.bostonbabywearers.com

My daughter has always been like that. She is now 15 months. Once she started walking though (about 3-4 weeks ago) it was like a switch flipped and she finally will play and entertain herself for a while. Last weekend we got to watch a whole movie! It was amazing. Anyways, I had to get things done around the house so I would let her cry. I knew her cries and she just wanted me there. I didn't do it very often just if I had to make dinner or vaccume. So maybe like 5-10 mins. I also set her in her highchair right in the kitchen next to me and would give her a cutup banana or toys so she could be at my level and right next to me while making dinner. I would turn on some good music and that would hold us over many times. Then after we would have one on one time. Sometimes if I just got at her level on the floor and dragged out the laundry basket and folded clothes right there she was ok. It took me 2 times as long but it cut out the fussing and at least I got the laundry folded. It's very frustrating but I just kept telling myself. Oh, well the house is not how I like it now but it won't be forever and I've got a baby as my good excuse. Oh, and I also used the baby carrier too. 25lbs is pretty heavy though, that's what my daughter weighs. I got an ergo carrier, expensive even second hand but I couldn't have her in another one very long without my back killing me. The ergo carrier puts all the weight on your hips so all lifting is done with your legs.
Good luck, I wish you the best in finding what works for you.