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Stranger danger is very appropriate in babies. I worry when they don't have it!

My lo started stranger anxiety early and its gotten better, but still here. When she was around 4 months all of a sudden if someone other then dh and I looked at her she screamed at them. No exaggeration. Now she's 19 months and people can play with her and talk to her and she will smile and talk to them, but if they try to pick her up she screams, except for her grandparents. These include people that she sees weekly.

I was always very shy, she takes after me.

We went home last weekend to see my family and it was the first time aunts/cousins/grandmothers met LO...They were all excited and there were practically fights over who would hold her, and she kept looking at all their faces and getting super fussy. My aunt walked over to me with her, and my not quite 3month old literally lunged at me...I took her and my aunt kept looking at her and trying to talk to H, and then she lunged toward my opposite shoulder to get away from my aunt! I don't know if more exposure helps them get over it...That was pretty constant for 5 days and she didn't seem to get used to everyone in her face. My mom called me a Baby Hog, but it was really more that LO was being a Mommy Hog:)

@Sammyfab: I think in large family situations where the baby is constantly exposed to GPs, aunts, uncles they may be accustomed to those people... but when I see a baby who screams when I come into the room, I think of it as a great sign of a well adjusted baby!

@Mrs. Jacks: Chloe has no concept of stranger danger. We visited my sister this weekend and had lunch on her college campus. Chloe reached up to be held by two of my sisters assmates. I've never met these people before!

It makes me nervous!

@PrincessBaby: crap! CLASSmates

iPhone! Sorry

My LO is at the stage now where she is a little wary when going to new people but she doesn't freak out either. She'll warm up after a little while though. I don't think there's anything wrong with that.

Our family doesn't live close either so she's not exposed to a ton of people all the time but she does go to daycare so that might be why her stranger danger anxiety is less.

My LO doesn't have stranger anxiety but he's been around a lot of people his whole life. First he was treated by a different NICU nurse every shift and now he's in daycare with multiple teachers. He has no issues being held by other people, he's a big cuddler. Does this mean may baby is not well adjusted because he doesn't have stranger anxiety?

@PrincessBaby: I was actually thinking of your story when I wrote that but was too lazy to go back and add you in to reply! When my grandma came to visit LO, she did this constantly and I felt bad always stealing her away, but I didn't want her to be miserable, so I ended up playing interference. I'd leave her in there for a little bit and kept making excuses to steal her away--oh she needs to nurse, needs a new diaper, needs a break--to keep everyone sane. So tiring!

@regberadaisy: Glad I am not the only one! I feel like people have to "earn" her smiles but it is worth the effort! She is always staring down people at the grocery store or when we are out and about and it is too funny!

LO in general is cautious of new people. He doesn't cry or turn away, but he is very serious and watches them intensely. If we hand him to someone he doesn't know, he has recently begun to turn out his lower lip and start to whimper, which is just about the saddest sight in the world!

My DD is going through some major stranger anxiety. She screams like there's no tomorrow when anyone other than my mom, DH or I hold her. I feel bad whenever someone holds her and she starts bawling her eyes out. Glad it's an appropriate developmental stage for babies. Because it makes me feel SO bad for other people who have to deal with her stranger anxiety!

@Mrs. Jacks: It's funny because DD has gone through a few very distinct stranger danger stages but DS's version of strangers danger is just a very strong momma preference. He's ok being apart if I'm out of the room, but if I'm around, he usually wants to be right with me. (Which is why it was so nice I got a little babt free time at your house last week!"

I hope LO only wants me lol I'm selfish, I admit it!