help, stranger anxiety at 5 and a half months?

Christine - posted on 03/10/2009

My son has just started that as well - just turned 6 months - even funny with my husband - who is at work all day...... Will grow out of it ... we hope!

Reina - posted on 03/09/2009

My daughter has been going through the same thing, even with her grandparents. I try to do things like tell people not to hold her in their faces (because that seems to be peoples first reaction to holding a baby) and holding her facing outward so that she can see either my husband or myself, then if she starts to cry then we reassure her that it is ok. It works half the time, she is getting better, but I find it totally depends on the day and how she is feeling. And I also find that if people actually play with her and entertain her instead of just talking into her face then she is more open to staying with them.

Cynthia - posted on 03/08/2009

Same same as everyone else. the near five onth old is freaking out when i pass him off to anyone else too soon. he needs me to have smiles and hugs with whoever i plan to pass him to first. once he`s seen I`m ok with that person, he`s totally fine. just tke the time to smile and connect before the tradeover begins and it will work out great. After making the connection, the new person should have a favourite toy or fun toy or blankie to seal the deal and also further distract him. It will pass...

Rebecca - posted on 03/08/2009

Hold her and let the other person talk and play with her while you are holding her.  Would you want to be that close to someone that you are unsure of?

Taryn - posted on 03/08/2009

Like everyone else has said it is an age thing. My daughter has decided that her nana is a scary monster or something. When my mom comes over and makes eye contact Kylie freaks out crying.. she is really scared. But I just tell her she is alright, hold her for a while and she starts looking at mom and getting more comfortable. I wouldn't push them into a situation that they are not comfortable with, or are darn right afraid of. But I also would not remove them from the situation either. When you are in a situation where others around let them know she needs to get use to them being there before they start talking to her or picking her up. Once she is comfortable with them being there you could try having them hold her. Don't worry though, this stage does not last long.

Lisa - posted on 03/08/2009

my daughter is going through the same thing. she only seems to go to me, her farther and her brother. she is gettin used to my parents but she doesnt have enough contact with her farthers mother and family to get used to them.

Melissa - posted on 02/27/2009

Straner anxiety and you don't want to force your baby on other people if she isn't comfortable. They go through this numerous times throughout childhood. I hold my son while he gets used to the other person in the room and then the other person holds their hands out to see if my son wants to go to them. If he does, I make sure he can still see me and i keep smiling and saying it's ok. If he doesn't want to go to them, don't force the child. It will just cause more trauma in the long run.

Angel - posted on 02/27/2009

I am going through the same thing. My son even does it with his grandma...it's horrible!!! The only way to calm my son down is if I take him back, my hubby can't even calm him down. I'm getting quite concerned, because I can't be around him 24/7 because I work.

Wendy - posted on 02/26/2009

My daughter was going through the same thing.  She would get upset if I walked out of the room for more than a few minutes.  She seems to be getting better. I think she also was going through a little bit of a growth spurt and she is definately teething too.  Good luck. It will get better.

Lori - posted on 02/26/2009

Thank you both.  At least I am not the only one with this problem.  Hope she grows out of it soon. :)

Ruth - posted on 02/25/2009

You just have to wait it out and continue to expose her to others. Let her know it's fine by smiling and engaging with the person or people, she trusts you so she'll trust them.

Jennifer - posted on 02/25/2009

I think it's an age thing. My daughter is going through the same thing, especially when she's sleepy. Encourage her to go with others and assure her that she's okay- but if she melts down, take her back. She should grow out of it!