DC3 is nearly 6 months. The two older DC are 8 and 6. I can't remember too much about what the older two were like as babies, but I'm pretty sure DC3 is far more sensitive than the other two. He generally only wants to be held by me and refuses to sleep / nap unless on me. He gets very unsettled by loud noises (e.g. the blender really freaked him out the other day) and is easily overwhelmed if there are lots of visitors / strangers in the house.
Yesterday I took him on a visit to a day nursery (I go back to work in a few months) and he screamed the whole time (didn't want to be held or fed by the staff there, only settled with me so I ended up having to carry him round the whole time I was being shown around). I know this isn't necessarily out-of-the-ordinary baby behaviour but I definitely see a difference with my other two who are both pretty outgoing and independent (and were as babies, as I recall).
I'm really curious to know whether those of you who had babies who startled easily / wanted to be held / extreme stranger anxiety etc now have older children who are more sensitive / shy / withheld and quieter?
It's obviously early days, but I'm intrigued as to whether DC3's temperament as a baby is a useful predictor of his personality in the future?
Thanks for posting.