Separation Anxiety
You finally got your baby on a solid sleep schedule and now it feels like you’re back at square one your happy baby now hates being put down and god forbid you try to walk away from your baby, and go do something in the other room. Let’s talk about how to deal with baby, and toddler separation anxiety and what to do about it.
It’s so hard to know that your baby is struggling and not being sure of how to help your baby but today we’re going to make a game plan of how to deal with your child’s separation anxiety and how to get them on the other side of it.
What is Separation Anxiety
so, first of all, you might be wondering well what exactly is baby separation anxiety, what does that look like? So when your child is around seven to nine months old they are developing what is known as object permanence this means that even though they can’t see something they know that it still exists. And, with babies, they don’t necessarily understand that just because mommy walked out of the room, she’s not leaving forever. As a result, they get upset, anxious, and cry.
Why is This Happening
I want you to just kind of take a deep breath this is normal, and it’s actually a good sign that you and your baby have a strong bond and a good connection with each other so obviously if your baby is upset that you’re leaving or walking away from them it means that they really have a strong attachment to you and they love you and they don’t want you to leave.
How to Deal With Separation Anxiety
- Play Object Permanence Games
- Vocalize Your Plans/Actions
- Keep Open Communication
The first thing that you can really do with your younger baby is play games like peek-a-boo, can’t see you, boo! I’m still here! That way you’re really reinforcing, that even though they can’t see you, they’re still ok.
This is something you can do at lunchtime when they’re sitting in the highchair. It’s something you can do, before their bedtime routine or during naptime. Or, anytime you’re having that close face-to-face time.
Another thing that can help them with object permanence, are those games with the cups. Where you have one object hiding under one cup, and then with the other two cups you mix everything around, and then try to figure out where the hidden object is. You then lift the cup, and they’re like “oh there it is! It’s still there”! That game works wonders for object permanence.
Another thing that you can do to help your baby, or your toddler is vocalize, and tell your child what you’re doing. You want to narrate your day, and the things you’re about to do. You can say things like, “mommy’s going to the kitchen to wash a bottle, I’ll be right back”. Just saying things like that like, even before your child develops object permanence, is going to help them understand that you’re walking away. But you’re going to come back. And when you do come back. Make sure you’re like yay mommy’s back!
Having trouble getting your little one to sleep?
Try our amazing help guides, created to help your newborn or toddler develop great sleeping habits/routines.
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Missy Yandow
Pediatric Sleep Consultant
Potty Training Coach
