My little boy (8.5 months) has always been a shy baby and quite reserved with people he doesn't know. Which is obviously I'm assuming fairly common. No problem with that at all. However, in the last month and a half or so I have noticed him becoming increasingly sensitive and stressed out by other babies making any form of noise. Whether this be excited squealing, louder babbling or crying. He is ok if it is quiet but it seems to be a certain pitch that really bothers him. He will cry real full on tears every single time and will continue to cry each time it happens. It really does upset him and has led to me leaving any social gatherings a fair number of times. I have never met or heard of any other baby with this sensitivity although I'm sure there must be others. Does anyone have experience of this? Is there anything I can do to help him get through it and is it likely to be a phase? It never used to bother him or at least not to this extent.
At the moment I am of course comforting when he cries but explaining to him "oh look little Tommy is sad because xxxx". I know he can't understand obviously but in my mind it might help reassure him. And praising him lots if he doesn't cry. Any other advice appreciated. First and foremost I hate seeing him get so upset but it is also making seeing friends very difficult. Especially in places like cafes where there tend to be other babies as well as our group.