Separation Anxiety: Helping Your Baby Through It

Tyria LockhartTyria Lockhartยท

Separation anxiety peaks between eight and eighteen months, when babies learn you exist even when they cannot see you. The crying at drop-off is a sign of a strong attachment, not a problem.

Ease the transition gently.

  • Practice short separations and always return
  • Say a quick, confident goodbye without lingering
  • Keep drop-off routines consistent and predictable
  • Let a comfort object bridge the gap

The tears at goodbye usually stop minutes after you leave. A calm, consistent exit teaches your baby that leaving is safe because you always come back.

The tears at drop-off usually stop within minutes of a parent leaving, and a calm exit teaches the baby that separation is safe. Consistency is what turns that lesson into trust.