Crying Baby

Doesn't it DRIVE you crazy? My daughter does the same thing and started around 7 months. Stranger Anxiety is horrid! Everytime we go somewhere and anyone says hi to her she freaks. I mean all out screams! The grocery store, a restaurant, EVERYWHERE! Its heart-wrenching and somewhat embarrassing. I have to tell people "sorry but don't talk to my baby." Its awful and there is nothing we can do. My pedi said last week at her 9mo check up it should stop around 12-16months. good luck!

C., this is totally normal and expected for this age. They will feel anxiety if separated and fear to strangers. Even if a month before they did not have any problems now they are startiing to be more independant and in the process could feel anxiety if separated. Little by little she will know that even if you separate you will come back and she will be at ease.
For my children it has happened around when they were 8 months and it lasted a few months or more.
It will pass, don't worry to much about it.

Stranger anxiety starts between 6 months and a year. Has she just started crying, or has she always been attached? You may want to ease her into group situations, and more time when she is not being held, but is in the company of others. Learning to be with others is like anything, learning takes place slowly. I always felt it was the aware kids who fussed about change. Easy going babies may just not have noticed that life is different, or they may be easy going. Try to give yourself a break from you baby. Wanting to be with her constantly is a wonderful feeling, feeling blackmailed to be with her constantly is not. Good luck. Barb

My son did that same, from 6 months to about 10 months. It's normal, but a pain. I always told people who wanted to hold him, not to take it personally if he cried the minute they took him. She'll outgrow it.

sounds a little like separation anxiety.. put her down and say , I'll be right back, go away and come right back.. each time you do that, stay away for a bit longer so she gets used to it.. do the same when people hold her "I'll be right here".. and keep going from there. it's a normal stage and they do outgrow it.

C.,
My own dd went through this, from birth until nearly a year old. I hear how difficult it can be! And Maia wouldn't even let dad hold her- it was a challenge. It's a very normal phase to go through, as she has just realized that you and she are not the same person, which means you can be separate from eachother. But if you meet her intense needs now, her stranger anxiety will end sooner and she'll be more independent later. Be sure to take your cues from her- if someone comes near and she's nervous, don't force her to be close to them, or be held by them. By forcing the issue, she will likely become more clingy. Don't be afraid to ask people to respect her needs at this time. But be careful to give her positive cues as well. If, say, your mom comes over, without forcing your daughter to be friendly to her, be sure she sees you being friendly and loving toward her. When she's ready, she will venture out again. Lots of holding and reassuring is in order during this phase. If you have a sling, it's a great time to pull it out so you can get things done with little one on your hip or back. I promise- it will pass! Maia now walks up to everyone she sees and waves, smiles, and says "Hi!" She's a bit harder to keep track of now that's she's so friendly!
Blessings,
H.

Hi C. V,

I just had to write to you because we had similar case with our daughter when she was your daughter's age.

She reacted severely especially to my in-laws, which made me feel real bad of course, but for most cases, I think it's a phase and will change with time. If you have plans to see friends and/or relatives who would possibly want to hold her, it might help if you showed her their pictures several times and talk to her prior to meeting. It might also help to tell the people around you that your daughter is "shy" and needs space and time to get used to "new people", so not to offend those who claim they're a natural w/ kids.

In any case, I think it's great that your daughter is very observant and recognize the people who she probably love the most, you and your husband :)

stranger anxiety.....one thing I found was to let my 8 month old warm up to someone first, then they can hold her. She LOVES people, but don't get in her face when you walk through the door or she'll cry LOL. If you let her warm up, she'll look at you for awhile, then let you pick her up (except me and hubby of course, anytime we can pick her up).