How long can your 10 month old play without you having to hold them?

Question

My daughter has the whole house to crawl in, siblings to play with, lots of toys, but she only plays for about 10minutes or less before she has to come back to me and I have to hold her or she sits on my lap. If I don't she'll start crying.
Is this normal? I think if she was in daycare she'd obviously have to play longer than that. Is she too attached for her age?

Answer

Every baby is different, i wouldnt say its abnormal.

Answer

There are times when mine can go for a half hour and times where she wants to come back and be on me every few minutes. Sometimes if I go into the kitchen for a few minutes, I notice that once I’m out of sight, she seems a little happier to play independently. But it really depends on the day. I think what you describe sounds pretty normal.

Answer

Attached is a good thing! She’ll become more independent when she’s ready. Just love her up and encourage her to explore at her own pace ❤️

Answer

We’ve always promoted independent play. Im self employed and work from home so I just cannot spend my whole day holding my daughter. Most of my work is done during nap times but sometimes things have to get done while she’s awake. She’s currently been playing in her play pen for 45 minutes while I straighten up the kitchen and drink my coffee. If she gets whiney it’s typically because we’re coming up on meal time or nap time. Not because she needs to be held.

Answer

I think it’s definitely normal at this age. At this age babies understand that people or things still exist even after they are no longer in front of them and that’s where the separation anxiety comes from. That being said all babies are different and I think it depends on the mood of your baby at one certain point in time. For instance right after my son wakes up he could for for a good half hour or so playing on his own and not can blink and eye as to if I’m there or not but comes 6 pm I’m lucky if he’ll play for 5 minutes alone because he’s starting to get tired and usually just wants me to be right their playing with him or holding him. Then there’s other days where it doesn’t matter what time of day heaven for bid I even set him down he’ll just start bawling. Just keep encouraging self play and she will slowly over time be better with playing on her own. She has to learn that it’s okay for you to not be right there and that you will come back to her. Usually if my son starts crying when i set him down to play I will peak around the corner at him to remind him like hey mommy is still here I just have to get things done.

Answer

It depends on her mood. Sometimes she won’t play alone at all and wants me to hold her, and sometimes I can actually get the laundry done! 😅
I agree with what someone else said- every baby is different but that’s not abnormal for that stage. Separation anxiety is supposed to be peaking around now.

How long can your 10 month old play without you having to hold them?

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