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[RebeccaandOllie]

My little boy has just turned 15 months and used to be really lively, talkative and sociable. Just recently he seems quite sad and subdued and wants to play on his own all the time. He has become very shy and everytime a stranger approaches he buries in my shoulder. He is my first baby and I am just wondering is it normal to for a baby to do a complete u-turn on personality or is there something that could be bothering him? I am just worried that he seems so sad and doesnt interact at all with people. I dont think he is ill as he is still active. He just doesnt seem to chat and smile like other babies do. Am I being a typical over worried first time mother or is there something I can do? There have been no major changes in his life so I dont think that could have affected anything. Any advice would be appreciated!

DS did this - going through a shy, clingy phase & wanting to play on his own and less smiley.
He's 2.5 now and a very happy, chatty, sociable little boy. He still loves to play on his own sometimes though

My friends ds did this at about 14 months til he was around 2. He was still fairly content but wanted to play alone and didn't smile at people. He would ignorestrangers when they spoke to him in the pushchair and just stare through them. He is now 30 months and the funniest, happiest most charming little boy I know.

I'm not sure why they go through this phase but I don't think it's anything to worry about. As long as he doesn't seem upset or poorly. If he is still communicating with you, feeding and sleeping well, I would't worry. Their personalities constantly change and all sorts of developmental phases occur. I'm sure it'll pass.

Phew...thanks so much!!! Feel so much better. Thanks for your comments! Its so difficult when its your first child as I think you just overanalyse everything rather than just getting on with things. I am sure if he was my 4th/5th child I would just be so happy that he played alone!!!!!

I had this with mine and I read some very reassuring things:

1. This is a time when they find independence when they really start to form their own "self"

1. This is also a time when they become particularly attached to you, and you have to be paitient with them about it.

1. At this age also, they become aware of the difference between family and strangers, which of course is a very important part of their development.