Insecure or oversensitive 18 month baby

[neshi]

Hi,
My DS is now 18 months and has lately has been having some really strong reactions to other kids.
When smaller, he was an outgoing baby, very smilly, would go to anyone...then around 9 months he started getting shy and being afraid of new people, crying with strangers, etc, nothing to be alarmed about, but truning into a less outgoing baby. Even with people he knows well now, he needs a good half an hour time to get moving around and be settled without needing my lap.
But latelly, he's been having real crying reactions to other kids, mainly the ones he does not know. If another kid comes to him and touches him, really only touching, my son will start crying really loud as if the other kid just really hurted him! It seems ha's really afraid of other kids.
He goes to nursery for 3 mornings every week and his carer just told me he used to do this at the beginning and not anymore, in her opinion because he already got to know all the kids in his class.
I know he's an insecure child and sometimes, oversensitive, he gets it from me, I was a very very shy kid but am now a more secure and settled adult, so I don't think I could have passed this onto him now, by giving a bad example.
I just don't know what to do when he has these reactions or how to help him understand that other kids are not a threat! And also, how to always justify to other mums his reactions!!
Any simmilar experinece out there??

Around 9 months and again 18 months are classic times for separation anxiety. Its part of their development as they realise how the world works, that they have more freeedom and ability to explore but also that you could go away and things could threaten them.

Ds is 18 months and sometimes is like this with other children and adults. It is horrible to see your child upset. But if he isn't talking much, crying is his only way to say "I don't like this!" he isn't necessarily distraught.

I pick him up and reassure him - I say Mummy is here, X is only playing, wants to feel your hair, whatever - and let him go again when he seems ready.

I wouldn't bother justifying his behaviour to other mums, I just try and focus on being calm so he calms down and then get on with what is going on. The other mums probably worry over something weird their child does or doesn't do that you don't notice. If anyone comments, I'd just say something vague like "its a little stage he's going through" or "They are all different aren't they?"