17 month old doesn’t like family member

[fibeee]

DD 17 months has a pretty hostile reaction to a close family member. She squawks at them and tries to shoos them away. I can tell family member is very hurt and I’m unsure of how to manage the situation as they see DD several times a week. Has anyone experienced a similar and had the situation improve?

My DD disliked my DH's sister and I mean REALLY disliked her - screamed the house down if her aunt tried to give her a cuddle, hid or demanded to be picked up when she came in the room. This went on from basically birth to about two and a half and then one day Auntie was ok and from then on really liked her 🤷

So I guess I'm saying don't give up hope, it might just be a phase but I wouldn't try and force it as it might make it worse x

Thanks this gives me some hope!

Well I hate to point out the obvious but is there any rational reason? I.e. has DC been left in their care and neglected in any way? Just asking because you say there's multiple regular contact points.

Or could it be something unusual like bright hair or strange facial features like thick glasses? (I have known a child in my family to freak out at a family member who wears thick purple glasses and has full on hair, I think it was just so unusual that it was scary BUT they didn't see them more than once or twice a year so never enough to become comfortable)

They’ve definitely never been alone with DD but see her quite often as their mother provides my childcare. I’m definitely not concerned about any potential neglect.

Family member has long dark hair which DD wouldn’t be used to. They’re also quite a full on and boisterous type of person while myself and DH are shy and quiet types. I guess it’s possible that either of these things could be triggering the reaction.