How Does
How Does Stranger Anxiety Affect Babies?
Introduction
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As the emotional bonds between an infant and their caregiver deepens, infants begin to develop preferences for the familiar and anxiety toward the unfamiliar. This is a natural facet of infant development and is known as stranger anxiety. Stranger anxiety usually begins when the child is between eight and nine months old. Infants will express anxiety at approaching babysitters, relatives, grandparents, and even another primary caregiver.
Symptoms
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When in the throes of stranger anxiety, infants will whine, cry, fuss and even hide from the person who is causing them anxiety. This is not traumatic for the child, but an important step in their development. Around the age of two, the symptoms of stranger anxiety tend to dissipate. Stranger anxiety should not be seen as a mental, developmental, or emotional disorder. It is a turbulent, but anticipated phase of childhood development.
Treatment
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To ease the adjustment through stranger anxiety, primary caregivers should not excessively coddle their infants or actively hide them from the person who seems to be making them anxious. If your infant is exhibiting signs of stranger anxiety and you are leaving them with a babysitter, introduce the infant to the babysitter a few days in advance. If possible, have the babysitter interact with the child in your reassuring presence. Eventually the child understands that this person is no longer a stranger and will begin to feel comfortable while around them.
Severe Cases
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In rare cases, children past the age of two will still exhibit signs of stranger anxiety. If the symptoms are severe, caregivers should assess their child-rearing methods, the home environment and the emotional health of the toddler.
eHow Article: How Does Stranger Anxiety Affect Babies?
