Let me preface this by saying that I am second guessing everything right now. I think because I am about to transition from having a nanny and working two of my four work days from home to working all four days at work and putting LO in daycare. This is going to happen gradually over the next two weeks and I am extrememly anxious about juggling all four kids, cooking, maintaining the house and working outside the home. Not to mention being really anxious about how LO is going to handle daycare. So here's my biggest anxiety at the moment....
LO (6 mos. old) has always been a high need baby. We do lots of baby wearing. We co-sleep and I have nursed her on demand since hour one. She is extrememly attached to me which I love about 96% of the time. Lately, though, I am starting to wonder if it's the best thing for her. She is only really happy and relaxed when she's with me. I don't want to create a needy/whiney/dependent, etc child by catering to her every whim and whimper. But I am also not willing to let her cry much because I feel like I need to honor who she is and give her what she needs. I guess my real question is, when should I be thinking about fostering some independence to avoid having a toddler who is impossible for anyone else to be around? Is it reasonable for my 6 month old to only want mommy? Are there small ways that I can/should be gently encouraging her to spend some time playing by herself or napping alone (which she rarely does and will make daycare hard for her) or should I continue to responding to her very quickly at every small cry? I'm pretty calm at the moment but there have been times in the last few days that I think I need to wean her from the breast/cosleeping/babywearing completely so that she can blossom as her own person. Thoughts????