4 month old cries when with anyone but mum or dad

[bozz17]

Hi
My 4 month old cries when she is with anyone but myself or her dad. She used to be fine until a few weeks ago and even screams when she is with her granny or grandad. The other day I left her for an hour and when I got back she was hysterical and sobbing. I don't know if it is best to persist and keep leaving her with her grandparents so that she gets used to it or to wait a while before trying again. My husband and I were hoping to go to the cinema next week as we havent been out together since she was born.
Thanks

This is a common phase.
It shows that your DD has realised who her parents are and that she recognises and loves you. She finds less familiar people less than comforting.
You can try spending time with her and your parents together so that she gets used to being with them under less stressful circumstances. You may then find that she is more willing to be babysat by them because she knows them better.
Going out together for the first time in 4 months? My DH and I have only been out together once in 4 and a half years!!

My DD was like this as well - from quite an early age. I'm pretty sure she had stranger/separation anxiety from about 2 months! She's never been happy being held by strangers - definitely not one of those babies you can just pass around. She's 9 months now and is going through another rough period with it. Don't worry though - I've found that she goes through clingy phases and at other times she is much happier with people she doesn't know so well. Her clinginess and 'mummyitis' as we call it, seems to be much worse when she's teething or going through a developmental spurt.

I'd go with it and do what she wants for now - trying to force the issue will probably make things worse in the long run. Four months is a developmental spurt stage so she's probably just realised that you and she are her family 'unit' and anything else is distressing and 'wrong'.

I agree with RuthChan as well - I can count on one hand the number of times DH and I have been out in the evening since DD was born 2 years ago. On the other hand we do get to the cinema by tag-teaming it - I go to an afternoon showing and DH goes later, then we can talk about it when he gets home!

Agree with all the above - both on your DD and on beinga able to go out together. DS is 12 months and we've been out 4 times, which I consider to be quite a lot.

It does improve - my DS wouldn't even get off my lap if we had visitors come to the house, but now he'll chat to them and pull up on their legs (as long as they don't attempt to pick him up and he can still see us, that is).

Thanks for all the replies. I visited Gran and Grandad today and she sat with Gran for a full 3 or 4 minutes before screaming the house down which pleased Gran to bits.....its a start at least :)

I have a 4 month old and know this feeling very well. I don't think my MIL has a great approach with my DD which does not help either. I do think at this age they are really aware now of who their mummy (or primary care giver is).

Octavia I love the idea of tag team cinema!! I might give it a go