Stranger anxiety

Anyone else dealing with this? DD is almost 8 months old, and she will only let me, DH and grandma hold her. She sees grandpa and my sister 2-3x a week, and she won't let them hold her. I feel bad cause when she was a newborn, no one could really hold her then because she was so colicky and only wanted mom or dad.

When does this typically pass?

Re: Stranger anxiety

my DD (9 months) is the same. it can be very awkward, especially if peoples feelings get hurt. i just remind them that stranger anxiety is party of normal human development and that its nothing personal.

my brother came over the other day. he sees my DD about every 6 weeks or so, and she screamed as soon as she laid eyes on him. he felt awful. but then she saw him a few days after and was more friendly. it happens to most babies.

Re: Stranger anxiety

My DD has always been this way. It probably started around the same age as your DD. I just keep exposing her to people and she is doing much better. I give her some time to "warm up" and she usually does fine. I joined a gym with babysitting (when she was 13 mo old) too this way should could get used to other people. At first she cried and the babysitter had to hold her, now after a couple of weeks she runs around and plays and does fine.

Re: Stranger anxiety

Thanks! My sister gets so offended. All the babies she has known have happily let her hold them, so she igets upset even though I tell her it is a phase.

DD also doesn't like social gatherings, so most family get togethers involve a meltdown or more. My poor baby cakes!

Re: Stranger anxiety

My child is older and still has stranger anxiety. I've seen 3 year olds with it. Every child is different and needs to be treated that way. Some kids are just not comfortable around strangers. And that's okay.