How long did stranger anxiety last with your little ones?

Question

My daughter 8 months has just developed stranger anxiety along with seperation anxiety. My mother and grandmother came in to town and my daughter was attached to my leg for about an hour til she finally warmed up to them. I know that this is normal I was just wondering how long the "stranger danger" anxiety lasts? We are going to be visiting my dad this weekend and I know he will be crushed if she is afraid of him. I have given her a little photo albumn of him to look at to try and make his face seem familiar, any other tips?

Answer 1

Make sure that she sees you hug your dad and smile at him. Children take their cues from their parents at that age and if she sees that you are comfortable with him, she will adjust. Sit and talk with your dad and don't push her. She needs to warm up to him at her own pace.

Answer 2

All anxieties depends upon the child and how it is handled by the caregiver. If the caregiver makes a big deal about it they tend to last longer. If someone is coming into your home the child will warm up quicker because they are in a familar place. Anxieties can go on into their toddler years if the parents do not handle them correctly. Stranger anxiety is easy in that you just encourage your child to interact, but you can still hold your child. When you need your child to go to someone and they refuse it is best to go a little early and let your child warm up for a minute or two. If you stay too long your child will know that if I cry, ask, etc... they will stay and I won't need to go to this person. I know in child care there are many children who will fuss every day at drop off. Those children the parents change the routine of drop off daily or they have never made a routine. An example of a good drop off routine is this - If your child is old enough let your child walk in, sign your child in and bend down give them a kiss and hug and tell them you will be back later. Than leave!! If you have a younger child, carry that child in, sign them in and then kiss and hug, tell them you will be back later and either hand them off to a caregiver or set them on the floor to play and leave. Anxieties are made when parents are nerveous and your children can feel it.

Answer 3

Let your daughter warm up slowly. Warming up after an hour is not bad. Your dad should understand that a baby might be shy. He had kids once...
I don't think you should push people she is not comfortable with on her. You don't want to kill that gut instinct in her which prompts her who is safe and who is not...And your baby is only 8 months old. It's nothing to worry about at this age. It's just her personality. When your baby is older, they you might coax her more to interact more with others if she is still shy.
Plus, if this anxiety about strangers has just popped up at the same time as the anxiety about separation has, it's most likely related to not wanting you to leave her with the stranger. You can reassure her, and let her know you are not going anywhere. And make sure when you do go somewhere, you reassure her and let her know you are coming back.
Don't sneak out; that will make it worse. your daughter will get over it.It's just a stage.

Answer 4

With people that she doesn't see very often, I think it will last for a while, but people in general she will get more freindly after a year, my son is the same way. A stranger is a stranger, it's really a good thing that they are that way, but with family I think the photo album is a great idea to remind them, also having pictures around your house. Just explain to your dad that it is normal for her to act that way. Bring him up in conversations and talk about him a lot, she is still very young, it will come, the older they get the better they are able to hold on to memories like that.

Answer 5

The picture album was a great idea! Stranger anxiety can last anywhere from a few months to a few years, it just depends on the child. Just work on keeping her socialized and hopefully she gets through it faster. Goodluck!

Answer 6

All children are different. She cannot be forced to warm up to people when we want them too. Advise your father about the stage she is going through so he is not crushed and she is not forced into a situation she doesnt want to be in. Eventually, she will come around, but at her own pace.The photo album was a great idea. Keep letting her know this is grandpa and that you will see him soon and bring it with you. But again, meeting new people can be stressful on children, but let her know its ok and give her hugs and praises when she interacts with other people. Take along some treats and toys to encourage her to do more socializing!

Answer 7

My youngest had the anxiety until she was 3 1/2 almost 4 I think, she is almost 10 now. Sounds to me like you are doing all the right things to calm her.

Answer 8

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Answer 9

well my little one didnt loosen up and start to like people until she was about 10 months and really the more you take them outside the more they will loosen up

Answer 10

it only lasted with my daughter about 3 days.