Advice for 5 month stranger anxiety??

[vicksey]

Hi all,
I'm new to mumsnet and hoping for some advice- my little girl is just shy of 5 months and is experiencing some anxiety around people who she used to love- we went to my brothers yesterday and she cried every time he went near her. She spends a great deal of time with just me, as I live a little way from my family- anyone experienced this in a young baby or any advice on how to handle I'd be grateful (almost makes me feel guilty when she cries).
thanks
vic

Hi Vicksey - welcome to MN. I would say just cuddle your baby, tell other people just to smile at her and not crowd her. DS can be very shy still, but can also quite willingly go to people he doesn't know very well - depends on his mood!

If the person she's anxious about frowns at her or looks puzzled, that will upset her further - just ask them to smile at her and she'll be fine - she's just starting to work out she's separate from you.

It's a stage baby's go through.

Look at the leaflet(listed at the top of the page) "A Special Bond, A Special Time - the first three years" on the link below to find out about secure attachment and seperation anxiety in babies.

WATch

thanks for the advice and links- I knew about seperation anxiety I just thought she was a bit young (cant be my 'little' baby forever I suppose!). In a way its good to know that its not because I'm her sole carer and its a normal stage for her, I'm not depriving her of anything because other people don't look after her much.
thanks again
vic