Extra-clingy toddler while expecting #2?

[Anonymous]

I'm 16 weeks with #2 and my 22 mo old has turned into a totally crazy, clingy child. She used to be the most independent toddler I've ever seen, but now she breaks into tears every time I walk out of the room, even if she's with people she knows/loves, like daddy. If I'm gone for a long period of time (like work) she's fine but if I'm in proximity, she's a total basketcase. My OB thinks that she probably senses that I'm pregnant and is acting differently. Has this happened to anyone else? Or is this just an age-appropriate phase?

Thanks!

[Anonymous]

I completely know what you're going through! Since my 2nd trimester, my toddler has progressively become more clingy. It's driving me crazy- always wants me to carry her, will cry and scream when I drop her off at daycare, will cry when she sees me coming in, I mean you name it. I hope that this behavior will subside and not get worse when the baby gets here.

[Anonymous]

Normal. My first is 25 months older than #2 and he got very clingy once I started showing with #2. Lasted for about 6 months after #2's birth. Don't have much advice other than to try to spend as much special time with your firstborn as you can. The transition is hard for them and at that age, they know something is up, but can't articulate their feelings well and so some kids become clingy.

Good luck and remember that it gets better.

[Anonymous]

The closer I get to delivering this baby (I'm 34 weeks now), the more clingy DS (22 months) gets - he now will not go to sleep at night unless I'm sitting in his room (previously we could just do the bedtime routine and put him in his crib with no issues); and every morning the transition to the nanny (to whom he used to run when she got here) takes longer - this morning we had 15 minutes of clinging to mama and crying before he would finally go to her, and then only when we bribed him with a jelly bean.