Hellobee Boards

DD has gone through several phases of separation anxiety. Her first was around 4 months, and her last phase was aroun23/24 months. It usually gets worse, peaks, and then lessens over the course of about a month.

At this age (6 months), separation anxiety is the result of developing an understanding of object permanence. So your role is to help her understand that even if she can't see you, you can still be present. For example, playing peekaboo or even simple hide and seek (behind the couch, just outside her line of vision, etc...) helps reinforce that you might disappear but you'll always come back. I've also read about some techniques of increasing her tolerance to verbal comfort instead of physical comfort. For example, when she starts fussing when you walk out of the room, try calling back/talking to her, reassuring her that you're still there. Over time, you slowly increase the amount of verbal comfort and decrease the amount of physical comfort; so, for example, you might start by reassuring verbally for one minute before physically rescuing her, and then add a minute every day/every few days. Supposedly this helps them become aware that they can get some comfort from you, even if you're not physically present.