In this episode: A mom who’s been carrying her 5-month-old on her back is now trying to get her daughter to spend time playing on her own. So far, it isn’t working for either of them, and this mom is frustrated and looking for solutions. “My back would adore a break,” she writes. “And I want her to be the happiest, most confident baby she can be.”

For more advice on common infant/toddler parenting issues, please check out Janet's books at Amazon and Audible (adbl.co/2OBVztZ). Also available for download, her audio series "Sessions" -- recorded consultations with parents discussing their most immediate and pressing concerns (SessionsAudio.com).