Evelyn is 8 weeks tomorrow and recently she just screams and screams when her dad holds her. I'm sure it has to do with the fact that he only really sees her for 3-4 hours a day and Im home all day with her, but it breaks my heart. He loves her so much and is so patient with her (much more than I am) and he comes home from a long day of work and traffic to a baby that cries uncontrollably with him. We're trying to have him spend the evenings with her when he is home, but it's hard because all she does is cry. He can't give her a bottle because she won't take them, from anyone. I'm hoping to get her on a bottle soon so he can do one of the night feedings for more bonding time. But in the meantime, does anyone have any suggestions? Has this happened to you?
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My husband would sit with me while I nursed my twins and rub their backs an hold their hands so he got some extra time in there with the. He would even lean in sometimes so they could see his face better.. The other thing is some babies are very attached and it just happens that way. When my twins were one, one of them just switched to wanting his dad all the time. Even now my husband is much better at calming him, but for that first year, no one else cold hardly hold them without gigantic fits. She will probably grow out of it just be patient.
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I agree with Oceanis723... doing things together is a great way to transition a preference!
I wrote up a few other tips here, after going through something similar:
http://www.hellobee.com/2011/12/27/three-ways-to-counter-a-toddlers-mommy-preference/ -
My daughter is 18-months and is still a huge, clingy mama's girl. Her daddy is very involved and often gives her baths, feeds her, and puts her down.... but she still vastly prefers me over him. It was really hard and draining for me at times because for most of the first year I always felt like I needed to be the one holding her or comforting her. She would get crazy if her dad tried to soothe her.
Even now, she prefers women over men in general. She always bursts into tears when our guy friends come over (no idea why!), but is much better with women. She is ok with her dad now though and often gives him kisses and hugs, but she is still a huge mama's girl to this day. I know I'll miss it someday, but I also hope this phase will pass soon....
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Same thing happened with us and DH used to lament that LO hated him. Now at 3.5 mos. things are a lot better and she likes it when he holds her, plays with her, and will finally take a bottle from him (or at all). A friend of mine used to give her husband her shirt to hold while holding their baby, so that baby could still smell mom and it worked for them. Just give it a little time and hang in there!
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It's weird, too, because she doesn't freak out when other people hold her. Just yesterday we went to my parents house and she was fine with them, but we get home to DH and she freaks. I hope she outgrows this soon.
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Could it also be related to the time of day? For the first couple months, my LO would always melt down at around 4 or 5pm and keep it up until bedtime at 7 or 8. When I read up on it, it's pretty common and they call it "the witching hour." I felt terrible because that was the only time my husband would see her! I would try to explain that she'd been a happy baby for most of the day!
She did outgrow it, but I have to admit that I'm in the same boat as @Mrs. High Heels - at 7 months, my LO definitely prefers me to her dad.
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