Fears and Tears

Your baby is mobile. She is aware of her
surroundings. She has learned what is
familiar—her family, her home and her toys. She also knows what is unfamiliar—a
stranger, a sudden siren or a loud bark.

Give your baby comfort and reassurance. Say“Mari, what a loud noise. It’s a fire engine.
The noise tells people to get out of the way.
I’m sorry it scared you. Let’s hug until you
feel better.”

Your baby may be afraid of strangers. This is normal. It is called “stranger
anxiety.” This fear begins when your baby notices the differences among
people. This is a big step in development. It means your baby is learning
about her world and the people in it.

Some babies fuss, hide or cry when they are with unfamiliar people. When
you visit a new place, give your baby time to adjust. Hold your baby and let
her look around. Talk in a calm, soothing voice. Warn relatives and friends
to go slowly. Let your baby make the first move. Your baby will relax before
long. Sometimes her curiosity will overcome her shyness. She’ll crawl out
of your lap to explore something new.

Your fears

Try not to share your own fears with your baby. For example, if lightning
and thunder scare you, talk about the storm with your baby. Watch the
lightning in the sky. Count the time between the lightning and the thunder.
If you know that the thunder is coming, it can seem less scary.

This content has been provided freely by CMC. Click Healthy Start, Grow Smart—Your-Ten-Month-Old for your free download. Click GreatDad Free Ebook to download the entire Health Start, Grow Smart series.

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