Daycare- How long does separation anxiety last?

DS was a fabulous baby in the infant room and is now moving up a class. He knows his teacher and assistant very well from before/after care last year. We went for children's orientation this morning so that he could get to know his new classroom and the other kids in his class. He was screaming at the top of his lungs for most of the orientation. The only thing that would calm him down is me holding him and feeding him snacks. All the other kids were busy playing and interacting with each other. When I snuck out of the room, I could hear him screaming all the way until I got to the parking lot. He's been very clingy/needy for the past few weeks and he's never been like this before. Even the director was surprised at his new found anxiety.

How long does separation anxiety last? It's been going on for at least 2 weeks now. He goes to daycare 5 days a week. I don't know if it's because he senses that a new baby is coming or the fact that he's teething....he has a lot of changes going on.

PS He just turned 17 months.

Re: Daycare- How long does separation anxiety last?

DD went through major seperation anxiety at 12 months..she would be in hysterics when I dropped her off at daycare (in the same room..no changes there). It lasted a few weeks.

She started to get a bit of it again around 16 months...although not as bad.

Now at 20 months, she no longer seems to have it.

Re: Daycare- How long does separation anxiety last?

Good to know that it didn't last too long! I've never seen him so upset/hysterical as I did this morning!