[spokanemom]

My Olivia has now been home for 5 mos. I can't believe it's been that long! My husband and I have been increasingly concerned about her stranger anxiety. We think that it must be atactment related. I have gone through some checklist for attachment problems and this seems to be the only problem for her. If I am in the store and she is sitting in the shopping cart and someone in the store tries to interact with her she starts crying. They can even be 5 ft away from her and as soon as she sees them try to engage her she flips out. But If they are right next to her but ignoring her she is fine. She also crys anytime some one she doesn't know comes into our house even if she is far away. The good news is that she seeks me out when this happens. She also doesn't mind if strangers interact with her as long as I am holding her. Is this normal stranger anxiety or an attachment issue? What can I do other then carry her everytime I am out with her. I do try to carry her as much as possible when interacting with strangers but I can't always do it. Do you think that this will get better the longer she is at home or should I do anything else about it? Any advise would be appreciated.

[maak]

My daughter also is fearful of strangers and it worsened until 15 months and now is improving a bit. It can be normal and and slowly gets better. I also have to carry her alot (which anyway is good.)

[myguatbabes]

Hi Spokanemom,

Actually, it is very normal for her age. Developmentally, children become anxious around strangers at around 7 months, it gets a better, then worse in cycles for a few months with peak "stranger anxiety" at about 9 months, 13 months, 16 months, 20 months and 24 months. Remember these are stastically speaking, so it can vary, but I wouldn't be concerned unless it continues to be this severe for more than a couple of months. Hope this helps!

God bless

[dspakowsky]

My daughter, 20 months old home at 5 months, is the same way. Many people think she's rude, but she is who she is. She doesn't like strangers talking to her AT ALL!!!

[tybeemuffin]

My Ped said at DD's 15 month appointment to expect her to be VERY shy when she comes back for her 18 month appt. (She was just a little shy at the 15 month one) He said that usually right around 16 to 18 months is when this kicks in.

[cbmstephanie]

My doctor told me that it is perfectly normal, in fact it is something they look for at the one year mark. Maria just started being afraid of people, even people she previously went to right around 1 year. I'm not concerned as she seeks me out and after awhile starts to warm up to them.