Shows stranger anxiety

What is this milestone?

Becomes clingy with familiar people, shy around strangers

Stranger anxiety is a completely normal developmental phase where your baby may become fussy, clingy, or fearful around unfamiliar people, even if they were previously outgoing and social.

Why it matters

While it can be stressful for parents and well-meaning relatives, it is actually a sign of healthy cognitive and emotional development. It means your baby clearly differentiates between their primary caregivers and strangers, showing strong, secure attachments.

What to expect leading up to it

A baby who used to happily go to anyone might suddenly cry or hide their face when approached by a new person. This reaction can vary in intensity from mild wariness to full-blown distress.

How to encourage and support it

Validate their feelings and offer physical reassurance by holding them close. Don't force them to go to a stranger. Instead, let them observe the new person interacting warmly with you first, giving them time to warm up at their own pace.

When to talk to your doctor

Stranger anxiety varies enormously and some easygoing babies barely show it -- its absence is not a concern on its own. What is worth mentioning is the opposite pattern: if by around 12 months your baby does not seem to prefer their familiar caregivers, does not look to you for reassurance in new situations, or seems equally indifferent to everyone. And at any age, if your baby loses a skill they already had, tell your pediatrician that week.