[lynnae1111]

Hello everyone,

I have an 18month old that I have recently adopted - I have had her since she was two weeeks old. My question is she will go to anyone, reach for a total stranger - is this normal?? She does always look around to make sure I am there - but it is starting to embarass and concern me. What do you think?? Could this be some sort of lack of bonding or attachment issue?

[jeffw]

A baby normally isn't bothered by strangers until somewhere in the 7 to 12 month range. Then they get clingy. It seems like a 1 1/2 year old ought to be selective by now.

Having been adopted at 2 weeks, your daughter isn't much of a risk for an attachment problem related to the adoption.

Is she in daycare? Does the daycare have high turnover or a lot of substitute help? If she is frequently being left with strangers for care then she could become comfortable with it.

[lynnae1111]

She is only left with my mom and daycare 1/2 day - she has had the same teachers the whole time. While we were in the adoption process we constantly had social workers, adoption workers, family visits, nurses, teachers, guardians etc visiting - that is the only thing I can think of that might impact how she is acting now. I am not sure how to deal with it though - she currently is 18 months old.

[jeffw]

When she gets hurt or scared does she run to you or another of her primary caregivers? If she does then I wouldn't worry about it. If, in those situations, she goes to strangers or doesn't tend to go to anyone at all then there might be a problem.