Parenting
Baby doesn't want to be alone in the crib.
AnonymousGuest ·
Our son, who’s just over 8 months old, doesn’t want to be alone in his playpen. There’s plenty of toys in there that we rotate regularly, so that’s not the issue. He’s never been able to play alone before, but now he really screams the whole village together, with big tears. And as soon as you take him out, he has a huge grin.
How can I teach him to play alone? I do need to get some things done around the house, but with a screaming baby in the background, that’s really not ideal.. And carrying him in a sling all the time doesn’t work either, our little one is over 11 kilos and likes to wriggle out of it..
How can I teach him to play alone? I do need to get some things done around the house, but with a screaming baby in the background, that’s really not ideal.. And carrying him in a sling all the time doesn’t work either, our little one is over 11 kilos and likes to wriggle out of it..
Replies
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Edith #2
Around 8 months is when babies start getting separation anxiety, so it's not surprising that he starts screaming when you go out of sight. And it's also logical that he's super happy and relieved when you come back.
Can he stay near you while you're doing household chores? That gives him a sense of security and he probably finds it interesting too. Let him "help" with babyproof items like a clean dish towel. You can only benefit from that later on, such a busy little guy, haha
By the way, a "wriggler" of 11 kg can still comfortably fit in a woven (non-stretchy) carrier on your back. That way he's snug enough that he won't wiggle out, and it's also lighter for you to carry than on your belly (assuming you're still doing that). Plus, he can look over your shoulder at what you're doing, which makes everything much more interesting. -
Claudia Guest #3
I had that too. I'd lay my little girl on the floor on her play mat, which felt less 'trapped' and let her see what I was doing better. When she started crawling, I often played peekaboo because it taught her that I wasn't really 'gone', and I'd call from the kitchen that she had to come find me. That helps. You can't carry your baby all day long (even if they want to). But this is also good for their independence. -
madelene #4
I couldn't put my daughter in her crib for long at 8 months; they didn't want to be in it at 6 months already. She got bored of it quickly. I carried both my oldest and my youngest in a carrier, practically all day. I sometimes found it a bit uncomfortable, but when I saw how much my girl enjoyed being close to Mama, it gave me a nice feeling. Even to the toilet, she followed me when she was about 2 years old. People sometimes told me I was crazy, like "she's attached like that? That can't be right?" "Why not?" I'd think. "She spent 9 months with me, should that just suddenly end?" My daughters are now, the oldest almost 6 (end of January) and the youngest is 4. The youngest is still very close to me, very attached. Wherever Mama goes, she wants to be. I love it. And I hope I stay close to her later on, and that we'll be like mother and daughter as well as friends. Seems really nice. I'd just carry your baby in a carrier. Greetings, Madelene -
Annelotte Guest #5
my little girls were not fans of the box at all
I just let it be and never put them in it
not all children find it comfortable
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