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My LO is 18mths and we just went through a patch like this. For her that behaviour isn't normal though and it did pass in a couple of weeks. I think I tried to be as normal as possible with her, not give in to her tantrums, try and do my own things around the house like I usually would.

My son is like this too. He's 24 months now but it's been going on for a while. He's totally fine around DH and other caregivers, but wants to be held 24/7 with me.

I find it helps to set limits for times when I absolutely won't pick him up. For example, he gets tons of snuggles all morning but I won't hold him when I'm cooking breakfast in the kitchen. I tell him it's not safe and if he'd like to help me, he can climb into his learning tower. Sometimes it works and other times it results in a tantrum on the kitchen floor. I just try to be consistent so he knows the rule. At other times, I'll pick him up if he asks politely. Screeching, whining, and screaming won't get you into mama's arms! He has to say, "Mama, up please" like a human being.

It's not great but at least I feel like we're enforcing some limits while still providing a lot of love and physical attention.

Mine went through a similar phase around the same time. It was rough but it got better.

Do you have a baby carrier? My sister ( who I jokingly call super woman) has a son who adores her. At 12 months he'd literally start climbing up her leg if she didn't pick him up. She wore him on her back in the Tula for a lot of cooking / cleaning. He was entertained watching her work, and happy to be so close, and she got stuff done! Therefore no need to discourage the love.

I think its fine as long as it doesn't bother you. My DS is only 15mo so perhaps things will change - but for me I can only deal with a certain amount of clinging, and I want to make sure that I set limits that mean I don't end up getting annoyed or frustrated. If I'm not doing anything then I'm more than happy to cuddle him, but if I'm in the middle of something I will finish what I'm doing. I tell him what I'm doing and that I will pick him up afterwards. If he cries, I just acknowledge that he's upset because he wants to be held, but mummy needs to finish xyz first.