One moment your baby is smiling at everyone you pass, and the next, he or she is screaming at the top of his or her lungs. This behavior is known as stranger anxiety in babies.
All parents know this: Overnight, your baby’s behavior changes from friendly to fearful. Suddenly, they’ll only let Mom hold, change, and feed them. If anyone else even gets too close, they burst into loud, protesting cries. Your baby is now in the middle of the stranger anxiety phase and reacts very warily to other people. Read on to find out when stranger anxiety begins in babies and what you can do about it.
When do babies start being shy around strangers?
Stranger anxiety can begin in babies as early as four or five months, or as late as one year. However, it usually peaks around the eighth month of life, which is why it’s also called “eight-month anxiety.” Sooner or later, almost all children develop a sense of distrust toward new people. This is completely normal and will eventually pass. While it’s difficult to prevent stranger anxiety, you can make this phase easier for your baby by introducing them to other people as early as possible. If you get your baby used to interacting with others, their fear of strangers won’t be as intense later on.
Stranger Anxiety in Babies: How Do I Deal With It?
- Accept your little one's behavior and don't force him to be friendly toward other people.
- Make your child feel safe when strangers approach you. Hold them in your arms and reassure them with gentle words.
- Make sure your baby gets used to being around other people from an early age.
- If you notice that your little one is scared, you should comfort them and make them feel safe.
- Be proud of the affection and trust your beloved shows you.
Take your role as a protector seriously when your baby is wary of strangers, and respond to signs of fear. Often, simply taking a few steps back to create some distance between your baby and the stranger is enough to help your baby feel more at ease.
