My 12 Mo Son Wants to Be Hold All Day

My son had a stomach flu about 2 months ago. He is a bit ____@____.com did the same thing. Let's face it, who wouldn't want that much love and attention from their #1 person ALL THE TIME! After he was 100% better, and he really took alittle time to catch up with getting there- probably a couple of weeks- I took him out to do social activities, (library lap sit, playground, park) something to get his attention away from me. This would tire him out a bit too and make his naps better.
Bedtime: I would put him in his crib and keep my hands on him for a few minutes and whisper to him letting him know that I was still there. Sometimes I would take a small stuffed animal and rest it on him so he would think it was still me. Sometimes he wouldn't fall for that and I would have to lay on the floor and put my hand through the crib rail, maybe for 20 minutes. Now my husband helps me with bedtime and we are 4 nights in a row without nursing to sleep, which was ridiculously needed by him while sick. That part is a bit harder on me as he weans himself (but that's another issue). I hold him for a few minutes, put him in the crib and leave and hubby soothes him and he's asleep in 5 minutes. I think that one of those bitter sweet things, they love their mommas and know they can get away with it, but dad is different somehow and he figures, "guess I better just go to sleep". I'm sure you've seen this with your other two also. Good luck. We all know these precious moments are fleeting, so I might love on him a little bit longer. ONE ADDITIONAL NOTE: At a year we started a consistent bedtime routine and found the MOST WONDERFUL lullaby cd. Every song on it is beautiful and made the bedtime holding and rocking a moment of special time between me and my little guy. A great ending to a busy day: http://www.amazon.com/TINY-TREASURES-LULLABYE-Collection-...

Get the book The Happiest Baby on th Block..try it out

Hi M., We just went through the same napping issues with our 9 month old daughter. She was also taking very short naps and was unable to fall asleep at night without being rocked to sleep. We were exhausted. We tried CIO methods for one or two days, but they seemed to distress her too much, and I felt it was unfair to her. We read Tracy Hogg's "The Baby Whisperer Solves All Your Problems" and followed her "Pick Up/Put Down" Method for getting babies to learn how to fall asleep on their own. It worked like magic. She is now taking two 2-hour naps a day, falling asleep at night without being rocked, AND sleeping through the night. I would recommend trying it! Take care and good luck.

Sahm,
Has your son been checked by his doctor since getting better? he may have a residual bug, or a tummy ache.....

Can you set up a game, any activity for him --and with his siblings to take his attention off his need to cling?
Often distraction is a miracle cure; your anxiety that he's gonna start clinging can be picked up by him.

Have you tried setting boundaries, like say he is to stay 'there' while u go away for just ten minutes, and sticking to it...you can even set a timer. it gives him something to actually SEE, instead of his anxiety which is a panicky FEELING which he doesnt know what to do with.

You might try putting him in his crib, then reading or singing to him?
I used to have a musical bear or toy to put in the crib. Then later on my son couldn't wait to climb into bed while I put on his/tape cd.Or put his favorite song on while you 2 clean up, whatever.

Its difficult to say, but I'm sure I said enough.
all the best, N.

This is a common occurrence, you are not alone. Sounds like your baby was sick and is still recovering emotionally it sound like. What is it about that behavior that drives you crazy? Remember that babies need to be held and carried by their moms for the first 6 months to a year, this is the way it has been done since moms have been having babies!. It sounds like he is telling you what he needs right now. He got that attachment from you while he was sick, now he still wants that close attachment. I know its difficult to carry around a heavy baby all day! let him sleep with you at night (there are MANY benefits to this, and it will NOT cause bad habits). Get a good sling to carry him in, your life will be so much easier when you use it!. Trust me this time will pass, you will not be "spoiling him" by giving in to his needs. Listen to and give your baby what he needs. There is a great article on the Mothering website you should read: http://www.mothering.com/articles/new_baby/bonding/scienc... Also get yourself The Continuum Concept By Jean Leadloft. Don't stress about it! Good luck!