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Behaviour/development

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One year old scared of other babies and children

1 reply

UnsettledBaby · 21/09/2023 12:43

I'm not sure how best to handle this - over the last few weeks my almost 1-year old has become terrified whenever another baby or toddler or even dog or cat approaches her. And I mean, petrified. Even if it's a kid running around a short distance away, she climbs onto me and clings for dear life and will visibly shake. It's really heartbreaking to see her so scared. I try to verbally reassure her, interact with the child myself etc to show her she's safe, but she gets so worked up, the only way she'll calm down is if I move her away from the situation. I don't know if it's better to keep moving her away, or if this is perpetuating her fear because by doing so, I'm effectively telling her that she's right to be scared? I don't want to stall her social development but I also don't want her to be stressed whenever we visit a friend or go to a group. She doesn't have siblings and we don't have pets but we go out and see people or go to a baby group most days. She's always been high needs and I know stranger danger is a thing right now but this seems extreme. In the last couple of days she's screamed in my friend's toddlers' faces...I feel bad for them as well....Has anyone else had this problem? How did you handle it? Is it better to limit seeing people for a bit, or keep exposing her in the hopes she'll get over it sooner?

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
Timeforsnacks · 21/09/2023 22:41

That sounds very stressful for you both. I would google art/play therapy for anxiety and exposure therapy. It is difficult to know if you should keep her from those situations, does she get anxious if she sees busy places on TV or in books?
It must be very confusing, I hope you get some good advice here.
My son has always been a sensitive child too, I used to think of him as a wild child but now he's 3yrs old I can see it was always anxiety leading his wild, loud, sensitive responses.

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