Anyone's babies gone (or going) through "stranger anxiety phase", how long? How do you cope and go out, family gatherings, introduce new (and old from before) faces, etc.? I read it can peak at 10-15 months and up to 24 months?? She is mostly social with us and grandparents. The pediatrician said it happens and will pass and her child was the same way.
Re: "Stranger anxiety"
My lil man is almost 8 months old and he started at just about 7 months old. Right around Thanksgiving he just wanted mama and then from then on he started with the stranger anxiety. He also started crawling right before Thanksgiving and they say developmentally when a baby realizes that you can walk away or they can walk away, they start to react to that.
Talking to baby while you're walking away to the bathroom or out of sight helps. Handing baby off and reacting positively when new people are around helps. If you do leave, don't come back, be firm saying "bye, I love you" and leave without return. Also each person that stays with them needs to find their own way to calm and soothe baby. Each person has their own way just like you have your own way.
With me... I try to hand him off to all my friends... and I socialize him as much as possible around other babies but also other mommies/daddies. I ask people to hold him while I put on jackets or shoes or something as simple as pour myself a drink. I even have some of my mommy friends help when he falls or needs someone so that he can get used to me still being there but others responding. Just making sure that every reaction and interaction is positive and that ultimately you're there will help her to cope!