What to Do? - Bremen,IN

Get a comfortable baby carrier(not anything you may purchase at wal-mart or target) and wear her while you do your household tasks. Sit down and cuddle her and sing to her and just love her. She can't say it with words but that is what she is trying to say to you - that she needs you. It probably freaked her out when you left for a whole week.
Crying it out is actually detrimental to a child's health and causes brain damage, I would never suggest that.
Last - remember this is a phase - it will pass. She needs you to help her through it ; )
Soon she will be crawling and getting into everything!

Good luck!

I can recommend some great carriers if you want to email me.

Hi S.,
I had a similiar situation happen to me too. I had to go out of town for a family emergency two three day weekends in a row and then was absent a couple days each week during a two week period (deaths in my family). Anyways I a stay at home Mom so me being gone this much really through my 18 mos off even though he was home with is daddy in his own house. Anyways I too wrote into this website and I got some really good advice so I will pass it along. 1) you baby is feeling a little insecure about the one she is closest too leaving. Babies have no concept of time so whether you had left her for two hours or a week that was out of the norm she was thrown off and now she is just looking for some security from you. Some reassurance that you will always be there and return. 2. so here is what I did, I put up with my son needing me and it eventually ran its course (not going to lie I was tired and ready for him to feel secure again but it took about two months)I also would leave and take a little walk a run a short errand where I would only be gone about ten to twenty minutes and then return and love him up. Hope this makes sense and also helps.

I agree that she may be going through some separation anxiety (which is completely normal for her age). I think the advice given is very good and although it may be a struggle now, she will grow out of it.
My son (6 months) is very touchy feeling when he nurses also. He has not gotten to the point where it has actually hurt me. However, I do give him something to occupy his hands with, such as a blanket or a burp cloth but nothing that may distract him too much from the nursing. There has been a couple of occations where he has clamped down on my nipple (I don't think intentionally) and I would pull him off, tell him "no bite" and allow him to continue to nurse. I know he doesn't completely understand what I am saying, but some day he will recognize words and the more I repeat them, the sooner that may happen. Hope this helps

I agree w/ your other responder that this sounds like separation anxiety, and both my girls went through this (my boy has always loved attention from ANYONE, and is the twin to my younger girl, so all children are different...)

My first girl's personality gained a whole new facet at exactly 7mos I remember (and she still has it at 9yrsold!) I think they somehow start to realize "hmmm...how much of my mood affects Mom's mood?"

I believe it's important to stick to, or establish, a routine that they can depend on at that age and make sure all caregivers agree.

Could be separation anxiety. Don't hold her all the time. I've seen first hand what happens when you hold your child all the time. Can you play with her on the floor? Or in her exersaucer? Put her down, leave your hand on her arm/leg and play with her till she realizes that you're not going anywhere. Slowly back away until there is a space between you. If you leave the room, continue talking or singing to her. It may take a long time for this technique to work, but it's worth it. Good luck! :D