Please help....my 15 Month Old Won't Stop Crying.

Both my sons did similar things at that age, too, and they both went to day care. Here is what I learned that helped me:

My boys were doing fine at day care, but they did not feel fully comfortable and relaxed letting all their emotions out. Every day, even though they did great without crying, when I picked them up they would run to me and start crying on the way. They knew I was coming, but they were so relieved that they couldn't help themselves.

When we got home, they would cry and cling because they were so happy to be home and with us. They would wake up in the middle of the night and come into our rooms (they were in toddler beds) so they could lie down with us. They just wanted to be near us. Cute, yes. Annoying, yes.

This is also the age that nightmares start, or at least get more concrete. They did for our little men.

There were two things that helped us through this phase. 1: Patience. Your little one is learning more about schedule, routine, and the like, but he really just wants to be with you and is most comfortable letting out his emotions when he's at home. He bottles them up (or doesn't fully let them out) all day, so when he's with you, it's time to get them out! This stage does not last forever. 2: Time together. As much as you can, spend time with him just "being." Go to the playground and play with him. Push him on the swing. Sit down and watch football together. (My oldest loves football and will pull us in the room with him so we can explain it to him. He still doesn't understand it, but great memories!) Read books. Play catch (or teach him). Cook. Something where you can be together, close, and all your attention is on him. It is exhausting, but it really helps to get through this phase.

Good luck!

I agree with Christy. At 15 months he does not yet know how to express his feelings. He is emotional when he's with you and it comes out as crying. I would just hold him for a while, rock him, talk to him..... he just wants the affection and the security. Pushing him a way or scolding him right now will damage his esteem and his feeling of security. He's just a baby! This too will pass. Love him up while you can, he's gonna be a stinky, whiskery ol' man someday ;)

My 19 month old has started this as well...not during the night but when I pick him up from babysitter's, it starts. He isn't happy unless I am holding him. I don't know if he is missing me and his dad like the previous mom had suggested. But I am looking forward to the responses that you get! You aren't alone!

Another thing to keep in mind is that after a full day in daycare, your son is probably pretty tired. It's near the end of the day, and many toddlers get cranky/needy during the evening. Continue to have patience, and discuss with your son's doctor if you continue to be concerned.
As for the crying at night - have you tried sleep training? Perhaps he is teething?

My daughter does not go to daycare and she can also be this way most evenings. She gets tired and clingy and whiny and she just wants her mama (She is one). She is not like this during the day time. I am guessing part of this is the time of day for your son.

This is really typical, and some kids do it well into the school years(not necessarily crying, but clinging). They keep things bottled up when they're away from you, and it pours out when they see you. The best way to help them get over it is to schedule 15-20min. with them as soon as you get home. if you really concentrate on giving them that time before you do anything else, they can relax and let you get on with your evening. It's also a great stress reliever for you after your day. As for at night, avoid stimulating him when you check on him. That means no talking, no lights, no picking him up. if he's standing in his crib, lay him down, pat him on the back, shhushhhh him for a few minutes, and walk out. Stay out 5 min. then 10 min. then 15 min. He'll get the idea in a few nights.

As another mom has suggested you should start with your doctor. I would also find out what his schedule is like at school. Has it changed lately? Has he been moved into another room because of age. Some kids do not like change and at his age it is difficult to communicate how you are feeling. You know something is wrong but he does not know how to tell you. My son would have meltdowns when he was trying to tell me something. Since he did not have the words yet he would act out badly. I eventually figured it out. My son was delayed in speech and it was hard for him to communicate to me his needs. 18 months is still young. So he is trying to tell you something through his actions. If he is a child who likes a routine you need to give him a consistent routine. You may need to eliminate what you can to figure this out.

Hi A.,

My son, who is now 2, use to be very fussy after daycare and sometimes still is. Now that he is getting older it has gotten better. Last year for a two week period he was also waking up in the middle of the night and getting very angry. First, I would call your pediatrican and tell them what is going on. Then, I would make sure he is truly happy at his daycare. We had to pull my son from his daycare becuase he was not getting enough attention. Yes he is a little high maitenence, but all he needs is postive attention. I really do like the home daycare setting better. I really think some kids just protest becuase we have to leave them. Your son is probably very smart and realizes when you pick him up from daycare that you had left him there all day, even though we all have to do it. I know this probably doesn't totally answer your question, but hopefully it is just a phase your son is going through.