I feel smothered

Therapist Lesley replies: What you are describing here is a completely normal developmental phase where a child singles out one person to become passionately attached to - this is normally the mother or primary care giver. Your daughter has learned to know and love
you passionately, and ideally she would like you to herself all the time and never have to share you. Though this can feel delightful for some mothers, others can find the sense of possessiveness overwhelming. Perhaps you are used to trying to keep your own feelings under control and so this demonstrative display feels awkward. You may even feel you don't deserve such love. If so, try to accept just how important you are to your baby. Look at yourself through her eyes and you'll see that to her you are warm, loving and good - very worthy of all this affection. You can also rest assured that this phase will pass and that once she starts walking, your daughter will become more independent and enjoy exploring the world around her. In the meantime, by allowing her to form this close and trusting bond with you, you're helping her to lay the foundations for other close and loving relationships that will follow on later in her life.  

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