Does your adorable little one cry when he is with new people around? Does he get frustrated when you are not around? You must be exhausted to be the only one to be with her😫! But actually, this is a good thing: It is evidence that your baby grew enough to tell the difference between people they know well and those they don’t!
When does stranger anxiety start?
In general, babies will be able to distinguish the familiar from the unfamiliar when they are around 8 or 9 months old, and that is when the stranger's anxiety begins. Then how long will it last? It varies from child to child, but usually, it continues until the baby is 2 to 3 years old! (😫!)
During this time, your baby’s whining won’t be the only thing that makes you exhausted. Some people around you might scare you by telling you that soothing their fear will spoil the baby. But the truth is: It actually won’t🙅♀️! This is a normal stage of development, and it is evidence that you and your baby have built a healthy bond with each other.
However, if the situation doesn’t start to lift, or gets extreme around age 2, you should discuss it with your doctor because it might be linked to greater risk for anxiety early in life.
My baby only wants to be with me! Help!
Babies want to be with their primary caregiver all the time- which is usually their moms😵. Only their favorite person will be allowed to change their diaper or put them to bed!
This is part of the baby’s normal emotional development that every baby goes through, but it makes you exhausted to have them right next to you 24-7. To make it easier to leave your baby with other caregivers, try to involve them in your baby’s daily care and routines, such as bathing, feeding, and diaper changing, so she gets used to it.
When you have to leave your baby with other caregivers, make goodbyes short and consistent🐤. Ask the other person to distract the baby with something like food or a toy as you leave to draw her attention. Always tell your baby that you’ll be back, and NEVER sneak out or leave without saying goodbye because it will make your baby more afraid that you’ll disappear!
How to help your child with a fear of strangers
Have you ever had this situation when your friends and relatives offer to hold your baby for a few minutes for you, but then your baby got very upset and started crying🥹? It should have been an embarrassing and frustrating moment! But don’t be, because your baby needs your patience and understanding to get through this stage of development.
When other people hold your baby, tell them that your baby is in a strange anxiety period, and ask them to use gentle movements when they approach your baby. Be aware if your baby gets anxious around new people, and make sure you take them back and hold them to yourself👶.