Start Small – Don’t introduce your baby to being away from you by leaving him for hours on end. Instead, set aside ten or twenty minutes a day to leave him alone in his room. This time shouldn’t be devoted to napping – it should be used to teach him how to play by himself. Gradually lengthen those periods of time so that he becomes accustomed to the concept of you being gone.
Play Games – Games are great ways to bring home the concept of object permanence to your baby. Peek-a-boo is definitely the top choice; your child will love it, and it will teach him that just because something’s temporarily gone, doesn’t mean that it isn’t going to return. Besides, you’ll have a blast while engaging in this often hilarious game with your little one.
Never Sneak Away – Sometimes, parents dread seeing their children’s anxiety so much that they choose to sneak away rather than saying goodbye. In the short-term, this may seem like a smart move – after all, it spares you the big, emotional scene that is sure to happen. However, it is extremely unfair to your child and will actually reinforce his separation anxiety. As tough as it may be, make sure that you always say goodbye and that your baby is aware that you are leaving.
Slowly Introduce a Babysitter – Babies who are introduced to the concept of babysitters early on tend to have a better time of things later in life – especially when going to school for the first time. However, you shouldn’t just plunge your baby into the world of babysitting. Instead, have the sitter come over and spend time with both of you first. Gradually leave the baby alone with the babysitter for longer and longer periods of time.
Have a Goodbye Routine – Babies are definitely creatures of habit and respond well to routines. Therefore, it is very helpful to have a set routine to follow whenever it’s time for you to leave. You could make up a silly little song to sing, or simply smile, hug and kiss your child goodbye. However you do it, he’ll eventually learn that saying goodbye isn’t something to dread. You could use a similar routine upon returning, too.
Tell Him You’re Leaving – Just because your child can’t speak, doesn’t mean that he isn’t listening. Make sure to tell him when you are leaving and what you’ll be doing while you’re away. Eventually, he’ll learn that you will always come back to him.
Separation anxiety can be stressful. Luckily, it’s generally a short-lived phase. By following the preceding tips, you can shorten it even more and help your baby develop into a confident, happy toddler. Someday, you might even miss the days when he hated to see you go!
