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separation anxiety help!
ever since i went back to work LO has been a nightmare, he wont sleep through and hates when i leave a room, he wants be held all the time and its drving me nuts, i only work one day a week but as its a long day, i dont see LO for a whole day as i leave before he gets up and get home way after his bedtime (usually late out and long commute), i cant do anything about my job as i have to be there another 9 weeks before i can leave, which i am considering, hubby looks after him when i am at work so hes not too bad in the day just whingy,
we recently let MIL babysit for a few hours one eveing and he was awful that night, she shouted up the stairs and woke him up on leaving (thats a whole other issue that i need to discuss as i am not sure weather something might have happned that has esculated it as hes been worse since then) and i got about 2 hours sleep that night before my 12 hour shift!
has anyone any advise or do i just need to ride it out?
we recently let MIL babysit for a few hours one eveing and he was awful that night, she shouted up the stairs and woke him up on leaving (thats a whole other issue that i need to discuss as i am not sure weather something might have happned that has esculated it as hes been worse since then) and i got about 2 hours sleep that night before my 12 hour shift!
has anyone any advise or do i just need to ride it out?
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Replies
While you are with him and he has his moments when you leave the room, return to him and get down on his level - don't pick him up! Resettle him by sitting with him, then distract him with something (toys etc). Then once he is comfortable, get up and continue with what you were doing. Playing lots of peekaboo is also supposed to help them realise that you can disappear but return. So play this lots - with scarves, big sheets, anything you can get your hands on. Put them over your son's head, and also do it to yourself and let him pull the cover off your head.
It may be hard to crack at first if he is used to being picked up during these episodes but do persevere. Just sit down with him and wait it out. Even if it takes you a couple of goes each time you have to do it. He will eventually learn you arent abandoning him.
Good luck hon x
ps. the inlaws came over the other day and as soon as she saw them she bawled at them continuously until they left. she was fine immediately afterwards ! (snigger)
good girl! i have the pleasure tomorrow :roll:
I have done this with Adam (7 mos) before and he's stirred but not really woken up - but he's nuzzled into my shoulder (which he does when he's tired) so I tell myslef he knows I'm there
xx
In the morning could you try going in a giving him a quick kiss, just so he knows you are there? Then do like cath says go in and say goodnight.
I am sure he will settle soon for you - you never know it might not be anything to with you going to work, if you think something may have gone on with the MIL???
xx
Has your OH picked up on it? Could you maybe vring it up with him first? x
SA is supposed to start at around 10 months but my son started about 8 months so it can happen earlier!
Another thing you could try if you think it would help is to move his routine forward. I did this recently for my son after receiving advice to consider the 24hr clock as a whole. I always thought that bedtime at his age (9 months) should be no later than 7/730pm but he was waking at 6am (sometimes earlier!) By shifting his bedtime to 8/830pm it resulted in his sleeping through til 7am. He still gets the same amount of sleep, just the times have shifted. This may work better for you if it means you get to see him before bed?
Joanna x