My 7 Month Old Mr Independent Turns to Mr Cling. Any Suggestions?

My daughter is very attached to me, to the point she puckers up if her brothers are sitting with me or if i have my arm around them. She is 15 months now but there have been day and nights when the only thing she wanted was mom. When she was about 10 months old she had a cold and decided that the only way she could sleep was on my shoulder with me sitting up. So i spent the night in the recliner not sleeping b/c i was afraid to drop her but she wouldn't lay back down in her bed.

Anyway the point is that some kids are just more clingy, Give him some time and some extra loving. They will out grow it for the most part.Most of the time now she doesn't "need" me for anything, she thinks she can do it on her own. She goes right to sleep in her bed But she doesn't like having to share me (even though she has always had to share me, she is #3) and if she gets upset only mom can make it right.

J. ; yes letting them cry it out takes a lot of time, and pateince and 15 minutes is not out of the ordinary, each night you do that, it gets shorter, but its so hard on you and him, its ok that he turns clingy, he misses you and wants you , and cant get enough of you, they all go through different stages and at some point they do turn clingy, its ok and perfectly natural, some days they want just dad, others they want just mom, other days they cant stand either of yah, so you take life with the punches and do the best you can, just learn to be there for your kid no matter when they need you , any way , sounds like you are doing well, keep up the good work, D. s

I personally would let him cry it out....no matter how long it takes. I read the book "Healthy sleep habits, Happy child.....IT ROCKS!!! My son is 20 months old now and he still cries when he leave his room for bedtime but he knows how to self soothe. I believe your son needs to learn to self soothe himself. It is sooooo healthy for him!

Good luck!

Hi J., I am not sure what to tell you. If this was me I would take my child in to the doctor to see if the child is not feeling well. When I was very young and all three of my children did not run a temperature when they had ear infections. My children didn’t pull on there ears either. If you take your child in to the doctor and nothing is wrong you could ask the doctor for advice too. My children’s doctor was good that way. Of course my doctor and two children of her own which helped.
V.

Your son is old enough to let him cry it out. We had to do this with my son, and I was told to let him go 2 hours if necessary... You can go in to him, but don't pick him up. Just some reassuring words and then leave again. It isn't easy, but after a few nights, he will know you aren't coming back, and the crying should subside and eventually stop. Good luck!

it sounds like there might be another issue involved - ear infections? sore throat? rash? teething?

this however, could also be very normal. kids this age who arent quite totally mobile yet get very upset when they are left. do your best to fulfill whatever needs your son has, and he will grow out of it confidentally. i would invest in a moby wrap - a type of sling - allowing you to sorta have your hands free while still holding your son close. i found that when i got one for a 7 month old baby in my day care, he was totally and completely content. he wouldnt go to sleep either unless he was held - and with my son he NEVER cried it out. he is now a confident, healthy happy sleeper. i never have any issues with him. so holding your baby and nurturing him to sleep will NOT spoil him, he will NOT need you to do that forever, but it might be a while. as long as you are willing to be sensitive to his needs, he will confidentally move past this. :D good luck

I was just going to reply that you should take him to the doctor when i saw your update! I'm sure he will return to normal once he gets better, I have often wondered "where did my sweet kid go" only to find out it is an illness, incoming teeth, or not enough sleep. Her awesome personality always comes back!

Hi J.,
Well, he is getting to that age where he will start to get clingy and become a bit more afraid of people. Are you sure he doesn't have an ear infection though? If he isn't sleeping like normal and the noise from the other kids is getting to him maybe you should take him in just to be sure.