Regression? Normal or concern?

Question

Hey all! 
My LO is almost 10 mo (April 6) and a few months ago she learned how to clap her hands, which I had been practicing with her for awhile prior. Now within the last month she seemingly forgot how to do it. We ask her to clap her hands and she just stares and smiles or puts her hands up and opens/closes her hands. 
I’m worried my mother-in-law has something to do with this. She watches my LO while me and my bf work and all my MIL does is put the tv on and place my daughter in her play area and leaves her be. No engagement no play together. Nothing. 
I’m worried that because she hasn’t been continuously practicing clapping hands, she’s now forgot? 
Is that possible? Am I overthinking? Worried about nothing? Or is this a possible concern?
I’m debating if I need to put her in daycare now instead of having my MIL watch her since it doesn’t look like my daughter is learning anything unless my bf and I teach her. 😔😕
Advice? Thoughts? If anyone else has a LO similar in age going through the same, let me know! 
Thanks!

Answer

My son did the same thing. Was clapping and high fiving and now cant seemed to be bothered with doing either.  As far as your MIL goes... maybe try and write a schedule youd like baby to follow. 
Heres an example
730 wake
8 breakfast
830-9 free play
9-930- story time/ sing songs
10/1030- nap
12 lunch
1230- walk/park/library
130-230 free play
230-330- sensory/art
330- nap
She may not know what to do with your kid.  There are plenty of age appropriate activities you could prepare for her to do with your little one on the weekend. Try pinterest!   
You could even go as far as planning everything out. Gather stories for her to read,  set out projects....literally lay it all out.  There would be no excuses then!!
With daycare, at this age its typically a  ratio 1:4.  Your child may get a bit more attention but dont think your kid is going to make leaps and bounds. Teachers are still going to be putting your kid down and expecting then to play on their own.  
Does she enjoy watching your little one? I mean what if you were to tell her she wont be able to watch her anymore unless shes engaging more? Would she be upset at that or would it not matter?   Since you are suggesting the ability of moving her to daycare its financially possible for you? I can imagine having to put up with sub par care if you cant swing paying for daycare. I'd rather have grandma then some rando at that point.

Answer

It's fine. Babbies learn on their own how to do things
You dont need to continually teach them so they remember, you will drive yourself crazy.  Babbies dont have a long memory span, so that's also a factor, they copy what you do that's how they learn. 
As for replacing interaction play time with tv is a no no for me. 
I literally put my son in his pac n play with a lot of toys infront of the door and he will entertain himself. Other times we go into his play room and I'll play with him .
Dont stress too much

Answer

I wouldn’t be too concerned with the hand clapping - just keep working with her when you’re home. My guy did it then stopped for a bit and is now back clapping up a storm. Have you tried talking with your MIL about the importance of socializing? Maybe she can take her to a story time at the library?

Answer

I don't think it's an actual regression or concern. When babies are learning new skills they tend to 'forget' previous things and eventually come back to it. My daughter went through the same thing. If we ask her to clap she claps her hands and we dont need to show her we just ask and she knows that it means.. but she went through a period of not doing it during leap 7. (I am actually from the March mama group) during leap 7 she actually stopped doing a few skills and was so crabby. Eventually she started back with everything and has mastered a few new skills ex turning pages in a book pointing waving bye bye etc. But it's a very long leap. 
I would continue to work with your baby on it. As for the mil thing that would annoy the crap out of me. If shes actually doing nothing to engage your child at all I would consider daycare in my opinion. 
Good luck mama. I am sure all is fine 😊

Answer

I hate my mother in law watching my kids but my husband is for it because she refuses to take any money from us. So I let her watch them when I first go back to work at a year. At that point I’m not as worried about her not doing things with them I just do it when I’m home. BUT I am putting my toddler in daycare when I go back to work and just leaving baby with her. I feel that at 3 it will have a negative impact on her the way my mother in law is. I will be doing the same with my son, let her watch him until he’s around 2-3 and then he’ll go to daycare. Probley when my daughter goes to kindergarten I’ll just have him take her spot.

Regression? Normal or concern?

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