Stranger anxiety is one of the most common types of anxiety you’ll see in infants. Some infants become extremely distressed when they are introduced or exposed to a person that isn’t yet familiar to them. They might cry, scream, struggle and in some cases even vomit. Other infants might just seem startled when they see a new person. Stranger anxiety comes in many different varieties, and it really depends on your baby as to how she will handle it.

Researchers tell us that a majority of all babies between the ages of 6 months old and 2 years old have some amount of stranger anxiety, at least for a little while. Stranger anxiety is normal and natural, and it doesn’t necessarily indicate some form of deep seated or long lasting problem. It’s not likely to be harmful in the long run.

There are things you can do to help cope with stranger anxiety. You can make certain preparations. If you know that you’re going to need to leave your baby with a new person, you can talk with that person about your regular routines and your regular habits with your baby. For example, if you tend to rock your baby to sleep after a bottle, let the care giver know that.

How you introduce strangers may make a difference as well. If you can, stay for a while with the infant and the stranger. If the is not at your own home, take your infant on a brief tour of the house. You might also get right down on the floor and play with your baby in that location for a while. Then, when it is time to go, leave without turning back, trusting that your care provider will be able to help your infant make the transition the rest of the way.

Another technique for helping your baby with stranger anxiety is to have the stranger sit your baby on his or her lap, facing toward you. If you are not going to be around, you can suggest that the care provider sit your infant on his or her lap facing outward, perhaps with some interesting objects like a toy or a ball that the infant might look at or grab for. This may distract your infant enough to forget that he or she is staying with a stranger.

If your baby’s stranger anxiety is severe, you should talk to your health care provider. Your provider may be able to offer advice or even treatment.

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