Need some advice re: Stranger Anxiety

I don't know how to handle this. Parker is so nasty to people sometimes especially when they come to my house. She pretty much likes me, DH, my mom and my one sister. Everyone else she is mean to and a few just down right nasty. The weird thing is I can take her out to the store, coffee shop, a big party and she is usually fine. It just when it's one on one. How do I handle this? She is only 6 1/2 months old. I warn everyone that she is sensitive and doesn't like to be touched, but some like my family (dad, sisters etc) just don't care. I want her to be comfortable I just don't know what to do. Is it better for me to leave her alone with them? She is just so little and so sensitive I don't know how to handle this. Will she grow out of this stage?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Re: Need some advice re: Stranger Anxiety

The poor baby is only 6 months so as far as I am concerned she can call the shots now as to who she likes and does not! I dont understand how "nasty" a 6 month old could be....the most I can imagine her doing is crying or showing discomfort towars someone no?

My DD went through several strange stages..she used to cry so hard when my DH came home when she was only 3 1/2 months...then she want through various other stages where she would love someone one weekend and hate them the next!!

Now at 13 months she loves being out and about with me and will start to chatter excitedly when she sees kids and people. But when we are at home if friends come around especially guys she will cry. She is much better with girls...she likes one of my sisters husbands and not the other - very perceptive ..

Bottom line I cannot see that I am doing anything wrong or right to make her act any diffrent with people..she just likes some people and not others and if anyone takes offense at a baby not liking them then I would just explain that she is a baby and who knows what is going on in her little head. No one in their right mind could take offense to an infants likes and dislikes.Personally I would not make a big deal out of it...she is only a baby.

hug:

Re: Need some advice re: Stranger Anxiety

Thank you. I know she is just a baby still. When I said nasty I meant more that she goes into a hysterical state. Yesterday my SIL came over and DD went crazy. She was screaming and crying and I couldn't settle her down. My SIL didn't try to touch her or even look at her. This started the second she came in the door and lasted until she left (about an hour).

I just wasn't sure if I should be doing anything differently in the long term to help/change this behavior. I know my ped told me that 6-7 months is when habits can form. I also hear it a lot that it's because I'm with her all the time and I don't "give her up" meaning I don't have her sleep out. I don't see how this is an issue, but the more and more this happens I just start to question myself and wonder if it is something I'm doing. Obviously this is my first child and I'm really unsure about myself sometimes.

Thanks again for giving me your thoughts.

Re: Need some advice re: Stranger Anxiety

DH's cousins baby did this as well. He was only comfortable around certain people and cried when others were around. What about doing a mommy & me class or something to help socialize her and get her accustomed to being around other people more. If you are with her all the time, maybe you need to seperate yourself from her a little as well. I dont think she needs to sleep out, but maybe ask your parents or someone she is comfortable with to take her for the day. Start out slow for a few hours here and there and than let them take her for the day.

Re: Need some advice re: Stranger Anxiety

I think she will eventually grow out of it and become more accepting of new people. I can understand why she might become upset...I would too if someone I didn't know came at me and grabbed at me. I would tell your family (the ones she reacts too) to let her settle in to their presence before they pounce on her.

She was great when I saw her a couple of weeks ago. She was friendly and content around all of us so I think it's the family's approach of her and they need to relax and let her move at her own pace.