Separation anxiety is the distress a baby or toddler shows when separated from a familiar caregiver, such as crying and clinging. It often appears in the second half of the first year, can return in the second year, and is a normal sign of healthy attachment.
Key takeaways
- It begins as babies understand that people still exist when out of sight.
- It usually eases by around age 3.
- Sneaking away tends to make it worse.
What you can do
- Create a short, consistent goodbye ritual, then leave.
- Practise short separations with familiar people.
- Play peekaboo and hide-and-seek to show that people come back.
When to talk to your doctor
Talk to your doctor if separation anxiety is very intense, lasts beyond the preschool years, or prevents your child from sleeping, eating or settling into childcare over a long period.
