How to Get Babies to Deal With New Faces
Babies often go through a period of stranger anxiety, when anyone who isn't family suddenly isn't welcome. Even people who know the baby might be affected as a once gregarious child turns shy and withdrawn whenever someone other than mom or dad comes on the scene. In most cases, this aversion to strangers lasts a few months in the middle of the first year of life and returns again for a few months in the middle of a toddler's second year. While nothing but time can cure stranger anxiety, there are some things you can do to make dealing with new faces easier for your child.
Other People Are Reading
Instructions
-
-
1
Hold your baby in your arms or on your lap when meeting someone new. Your child needs to feel secure and know you will be there to protect her before she feels safe enough to be friendly with others.
-
2
Ask your friends or family members to move slowly around your baby. Slow, calm movements help him understand that the new person is not a threat.
-
-
3
Talk to the new person yourself and allow her to touch you on the hand or arm so that your baby can see that you think the stranger is safe.
-
4
Allow your baby to set the pace. You can let the stranger touch your baby's arm or leg, but only if your baby seems comfortable. If your baby shies away or cries, let him cuddle in your arms until he feels safe again.
-
5
Let the new person hold your baby only if it does not scare her. Reassure and comfort your child as soon as she becomes scared or nervous.
-
6
Give your baby time. You might not be able to get your child to warm up to new people right away, so try and remember that stranger anxiety is just a phase and he will outgrow it soon.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
Stranger anxiety usually goes hand in hand with separation anxiety, a child's fear of being away from his parents. You can tackle separation anxiety at the same time as stranger anxiety by playing games like peek-a-boo and bye-bye to lessen his fear of being left alone.
References
- Photo Credit Jupiterimages/Photos.com/Getty Images
More Like This
Comments
-
Thank you so much for the information Marilyn. We will work towards making Xavier feel safe. As we can see just takes time.
