Any ideas?

I'm having real problems with my 18month old. He has an absolute meltdown whenever myself or my partner are in the kitchen. He just sits and cries, gets as close to my legs as possible (often sitting on my feet) and gestures to constantly be picked up. He doesn't just have a cry and get over it, he cries, and cries and cries. We thought this was 'a phase' but I reckon it's been going on for 3 months now. I have got to the point where I'm just ignoring him as obviously I can't constantly have him in my arms whilst I'm cooking, doing the washing etc. I'm just at a loss what to do as I can't just sit in the living room with him all day so he's happy x