Separation anxiety at 4 months old?

My DD will be four months in four days and I recently went back to working from home. I need someone to watch her while I work so my MIL watches her on M, W, F. I hired a nanny for Tues & Thurs. The days my MIL watches her- she is super happy and hardly cries at all. The days the nanny watches her she cries all day long…like bloody murder. I was questioning whether or not she liked the nanny up until today. My DH was watching her this morning and she went ballistic again. She was inconsolable (by DH) for 20 minutes while I was on a conference call. I really think its separation anxiety. The nanny is super nice. Sings to her, walks her around…and im home all day so I know nothing shady is going on. I just really think my DD is fully aware that this is not her mom or a family member that she trust. I don’t know what to do. I don’t want to fire the nanny because I need her but Im not sure if I should try a new person out? I really think its separation anxiety and no matter who else we introduce- she wont like them. I dunno. WWYD? Is there anything I could/should do that would help her? Most things I read say separation anxiety doesn’t start until 6-8 months. But I am almost sure- she has it!

Re: Separation anxiety at 4 months old?

My DD was the same way at 3 monthsI couldn't leave her with no 1 not her dad,or my mom. I knew it was time for me to start back work but she would freak out whenever I would leave her so i took an extended leave and around 5 months it became easier. I think its an on and off faze they go through they just love us too much to ever want to be seperated from us

Re: Separation anxiety at 4 months old?

oh how sad! i don't think it's too early for that; babies sense when it's not mommy. apparently i was that way as a baby from day 1 according to my mother! i'm not sure what i can tell you except that i'm sorry! but maybe you can tape record your voice when she's screaming and the nanny can play it to settle her down!

Re: Separation anxiety at 4 months old?

DD turned 5 months yesterday and has been like this most of her life...lol! She seems to be gettinga little better, but she still has her moments. She just wants mommy!

Re: Separation anxiety at 4 months old?

thanks. it literally breaks my heart and i have no choice but to work. and to top things off, i just found out i have to go to they city all day wed for a meeting. the longest i have been away from her is 2 hours. this 6 am-7pm day is going to kill me at least she'll be with my mil on wed instead of the new nanny.

Re: Separation anxiety at 4 months old?

Re: Separation anxiety at 4 months old?

you should also give the nanny a shirt or something you wore so she can smell you as well as voice and pictures , I also recc creating a womb like enviroment when she is hysterical , swaddle , shhing noise bouncing in a dark room , she is craving mommy so give her that womb like feeling

Message edited 3/3/2011 10:33:33 AM.