Baby cries when she sees my in-laws!

[Catmama24]

Hey everyone!
I’m really looking for some tips if anyone has experienced the same thing!
My 6 month old cries- and I mean full on MELT DOWN whenever she sees my in-laws.
They don’t see her as often as other family members - maybe twice a month?, which I thought could be a reason but she’s completely fine with strangers and everyone else!

The only thing I can attribute it to is them ‘disturbing her one evening when they arrived late to pick up my son (he was having a sleepover at Nani and Granddads) she was playing on her playmat it was nearing 7pm so she was winding down ready for bed, she saw them and she was inconsolable crying- took 20 minutes to calm her down, all they did was look at her and say ‘hello’. Every time after that it’s been the same!
Until that point we’d had no problems, they’ve looked after her on her own with no issues, until that evening they arrived late 😩

Any tips?

Do the in-laws wear face masks or sunglasses when they visit? My six month old will smile for most people, but he doesn’t like people who conceal part of their face.

I think it's pretty normal reaction from a 6 month old. They get quite clingy. I see my granddaughter most days but last few times she cries as soon as I pick her up. It will pass

@Petrov
They wear glasses but so does my mum and it’s never been an issue with her 🤷🏼‍♀️

@blissfulllife
Thank you! It’s reassuring to know it’s probably a phase that will pass

It’s really normal at this age. Just ignore it and it will pass. Don’t whatever you do stop the poor in laws from seeing the kids!

Do you ever leave her with them? DC1 used to be like this when any grandparents arrived. We think they associated it with me and OH leaving for the night (which we sometimes did but was a pretty rare occurrence!)

One DH’s nieces used to go full on mental whenever she saw him as a baby. She was always a little bit clingy with parents but didn’t have that reaction simply just from looking at anyone else other than him. We all found it quite funny, in fact we were laughing about it recently with the niece who is now 10 and obviously doesn’t remember a thing!

@DGFB gosh I’d never dream of it! -not really sure why you drew that conclusion. I’m more worried about them being anxious visiting because of her reaction 😩 I can tell it upsets my MIL x

@Milkbottlelegs
Only on occasion but until the evening mentioned in the OP she had been fine with us leaving and being with them on her own 🤷🏼‍♀️

It's probably the glasses tbh. Even if your mum wears them too.

Next time do an experiment and ask them to take off the glasses for a second to see if it makes a difference. It'll give you one answer, anyway.

@LakeShoreD Glad to hear that it’s just probably a phase she’s going through! We’ll probably be laughing about it when she’s 10 😂

Sorry didn’t mean to suggest you would stop them seeing the children, but you do hear these things on Mumsnet. Your poor
MIL. It will pass

@DGFB
It’s fine lovely! But no I’d never, ever dream of it.
She’s never said anything but I can tell it does upset her 😔
Fingers crossed DD goes through this phase quickly!

It’s hurtful really but normal, just one of those things babies do, she will eventually stop doing it

My oldest used to do this with my dad, even if we meet him unexpectedly in the street. It passed off after a few months, and they get on well now (she is nearly 27... )

17, not 27!

It's normal at that age.
DD did it with my MIL.
It happens particularly if it's a face they aren't as used to as others and that person is very affectionate with the baby.
Doesn't last long as a phase.

Do they try to interact with her? I'm guessing yes because that's normal 😁
Ask them to start coming over and sitting and chatting with you but not trying to interact with your baby.

My DD did this with a few family members at a similar age for no apparent reason. She took a particular dislike to BIL who didn’t have much experience with children and I think was a bit upset by it. He’s one of her favourite people now.

Don’t make a fuss about it or try to find a logical reason, just let them keep spending time with her in a relaxed way and she will soon get over it.

Thank you so much everyone! It’s great to have the reassurance that it’s just a phase!
MIL and FIL had a quick visit today and DD was completely fine! Smile all round 🙌🏻 So the phase could be on its way out 😁