4 mo suddenly afraid of "strangers"

MagsMayMommy

My LO has recently decided she is afraid of my dad!  She sees him once a week or so (usually briefly), but for whatever reason she has recently decided she is frightened by him.  She's his only granddaughter and although he'd never admit it exactly I think it bothers him, so I'd like to do anything I can to assure DD that he's okay and not scary.  Is this a normal 4 mo thing?  Perhaps I've sheltered her too much and need to have a larger variety of people hold her (other than just family and close friends)?  TIA!

GlinkaGirl

My baby went through a phase around 4 months when she would cry if she was too close or being held by strangers. Today we saw a neighbor that LO had never met and she was totally fine. Neighbor played with her and got close. No crying. I think it will pass...

LadyTyler

My guy will often cry after about 5 minutes of being held or intense interaction with anyone other me or my husband, even with my mom who he sees for 8-10 hours a week at least. He also pretty much refuses to eat with anyone other than me unless he is starving and I'm not there. I also haven't had many people hold him (...maybe 5 other than me and hubby?) so that might be part of it. Nobody I know thinks its "normal" but no one seems concerned either, although I'm going to mention it to the pediatrician when we see her.

sucredee

My DD did this as well. We went to Europe right at 4 months to visit my family and she was wonderful with everyone. Pretty much since the day after we got back she had major stranger anxiety (even with my friend who babysat her occasionally). I figured it was jet lag but it didn't go away for a long time. She is still wary of people and very shy. But it took a long time before she would let anyone hold her.

To this day she is a total momma's girl and if I'm around she doesn't want to have much to do with anyone else  (and that includes dad).

DD was never sheltered and many people held her and we were out and about a lot. She was with me (still) pretty much all the time  But I never really kept her away from people. I suspect a lot of it is just her personality. As I said even at 2 she is very wary of most people but does much better.

I guess not very reassuring  since it didn't pass very quickly but I think it is not uncommon.