When Katherine Dolan took her three-month-old daughter, Ella-Anne, for a workplace visit during her mat leave, she started to fuss and cry whenever someone else held her and Dolan was briefly out of sight. This reaction persisted until Ella-Anne was around 14 months old and began to gradually ease off. ?Whenever she was physically away from me, she would be uncomfortable and upset and cry,? she says. ?It was so difficult for her and for me to see her in distress. It was frustrating for my husband because he wanted to give me a break and she just wouldn?t settle.? This is separation anxiety, which is likely your baby?s first emotional milestone. 
You won?t be reaching for your phone to capture the moment, though. Separation anxiety often features full-on sobbing, epic fussing and difficulty consoling your baby when you?re out of sight. While it?s gut-wrenching to see your little one upset, it?s actually a sign of a secure attachment, says Sarah Rosensweet, a parenting coach in Toronto. ?It?s healthy, good and normal,? she says. ?Babies are wired for connection with a caregiver.? It shows that your baby recognizes you and feels secure with you. Still, that doesn?t make coping with the fallout any easier for you or your babe. Here?s what you need to know and how to deal with separation anxiety.  When does separation anxiety start"
Separation anxiety generally starts between six and 12 months, peaks between 10 and 18 months and fades by age two. 
What is early separatio...