Can Separation Anxiety Affect Babies Sleep?
When your baby is a newborn, he is most often fine with a friendly, new face. However, once your baby gains an understanding of object permanence and they realize you are really gone, it may leave them upset!
What is object permanence?
it means your baby knows that objects and people exist even if they’re not in the room or close by. Some babies develop object permanence as early as 3-5 months, however, most develop it around 9 months of age.
In this blog post, we will cover:
is separation anxiety normal?
what are the signs of separation anxiety?
how to ease separation anxiety
baby sleep and separation anxiety
ages that are effected by separation anxiety
Is Separation Anxiety Normal?
Separation anxiety is bound to happen, it is normal and it part of a baby’s development! There’s no avoiding it, though some kids may be more sensitive to it than others. It may affect your child at different ages more than others too.
What are the signs of separation anxiety?
Babies who have separation anxiety fear that their parent will leave and never come back. They know you exist even though you’re not there.Babies tend to cry when you leave the room, develop new night wakings, cry during bedtime routine and become extra clingy in new places or situation.
How to Ease Separation Anxiety:
Have a routine: create a goodbye ritual. I usually give my boys several warnings through out the day so they know what is coming. When it is time for you to go, choose something short and direct - a simple kiss goodbye and reminding them you’ll be back.
Be consistent: If you say you are going to leave - leave. Do not stay because they are crying and upset.
Narrate what’s happening: I do this a lot with Liam now! Talk to your children about what’s going on. Make a very clear routine and say, ‘Mommy is going to give you 3 kisses and then I am going to leave. Your babysitter will put you to bed, but mommy will be home tonight and see you tomorrow. Mommy and daddy always come back!”
For your smaller babies, play peekaboo and talk to your baby when you leave a room so they start to learn that even though they can’t see you, you’re still close!
Make it familiar: practice leaving for short periods at a time. If you are having a new babysitter, have your new sitter over a few times before you leave so your baby becomes familiar.
Don’t sneak out: This is very confusing for a child and can actually cause more problems! Be upfront with them and tell them you are leaving and will be back.
Baby Sleep and Separation Anxiety
One common question asked: can separation anxiety affect sleep and the answer is YES. But, there are ways to help!
Tips to help with separation anxiety and sleep:
ROUTINE: develop a predictable bedtime routine to help your baby know it is almost bedtime. This will allow them to prepare for the separation!
Comfort baby if he wakes up in the middle of the night. Avoid picking him up or rocking him to sleep, just give a quick check in, so they know you are there!
Lovey (for older toddlers): Give your baby a new favorite lovey, so the lovey can be there with baby when you can’t!
Ages that are Affected by separation anxiety:
Disclaimer: Separation anxiety can come and go at multiple ages. For example, your baby may demonstrate separation anxiety at 9 months of age, get better and then it comes back at 24 months of age.
Infants: Most babies don’t develop separation anxiety until 9 months of age.
Toddlers: Many toddlers skip separation anxiety in infancy and start demonstrating challenges at 15-18 months of age.
Your baby’s separation anxiety may reach a peak anywhere from 8-24 months of age. It peaks at 24 months of age.
Preschoolers: By the time children are 3 years of age, they are less likely to have separation anxiety, although it can still happen!
Separation anxiety can be tough but just know that it is a normal part of their development and almost every baby goes through it at some point! Remember to stick with your bedtime ROUTINES and daily ROUTINES, consistency always helps!
