Parents often wonder whether their baby suffers from separation anxiety when they need to go back to work. Well, to a certain degree, yes. Your baby starts to get attached to you right from the start especially when you are more of an on-hand type of parent. Separation anxiety is quite normal especially when your baby starts to develop an emotional attachment to people and objects that are around them.
Babies and toddlers will show off their emotional upset as they grow older because they are already familiar with you. This creates a negative energy in them knowing that the one protecting them has disappeared or often leaves them. This can be unhealthy when not held in check which is why you need to learn how to deal with this anxiety. Fortunately, there are steps that you can take advantage to help you and your toddler at this stage. Here are a few that you should try out.
Ask for support
It’s exceptionally difficult for parents who have to go back to work to leave their baby but you can already imagine what it’s like to your little one. The best approach to this is to have a relative, someone your baby is familiar with, to help you out. Although there is some resistance to this routine, your baby will be able to feel calmer knowing that they will be around people who are they familiar with. This makes it easier for both you and your baby.
Sing to your baby
Another trick that you can do to help ease your baby into your being away is to sing to them even when you are in the other room. This will give your baby a sense of comfort that you are there in spite of not seeing you.
Get them to know their caregiver
If there is no one to care for your little one, you’re probably thinking of hiring a caregiver. You need to keep in mind that you should ease your baby into leaving him or her with a new person. Give the two time to get to know each other so they will be familiar with one another thus decreasing the separation anxiety whenever you have to leave. Use this time to know the caregiver too.
Have a routine
Another way for you to ease the separation anxiety of your baby is to have a routine. Make it a short one that your baby will get used to. This way, your baby will know that you are about to leave and will learn that this is going to be temporary only. This may take some time in some babies but have patience and you’ll both ease into this separation.
Special toy
Some parents offer a toy or blanket that their baby can hold on to when they are not around. This usually gives them comfort since they form an attachment to these items which can help calm them.
