stranger anxiety...SO BAD

my DD is a very happy, good natured baby. she is 11 months and when shes with DH and I or my parents, she is happy as a clam. but ive been noticing lately that she is not happy around people she doesnt know. a few days ago i took her to my friends house and she was ok with all the strangers, but no one could touch her or come too close without her crying. but then TODAY WAS AWFUL. so bad i feel like i need a tranquilizer. i had my uncle, his fiance and an aunt over and my DD cried the second she saw them come up the front walk and for the next two hours. she only stopped when i fed her and then once my parents came. my DH was out today so i was alone entertaining with a screaming, screeching child who would not let me put her down. it was awful. i called my parents and had them come over to help me bc i could not manage on my own.

so, what gives? is this normal? how long does it usually last? i am rethinking my plan of having a big family bday party for her next month. whats the point, if she is just going to cry and cling to my dad the entire time?

also, when she is 16 months she is starting day care. i am really really scared that she is going to cry her little heart out when i leave her there with strangers. what do i do? will she grow out of this???

Re: stranger anxiety...SO BAD

I think it's normal. She sounds a very cautious of new people and doesn't warm up quickly. But I think when she gets used to whoever it is, she will calm down (it just takes a long time with her). Same w/ the daycare. She will get used to it. It may take a while, but she will become familiar with the environment and the people.

My DS is a little more cautious also (11M). Now that he is moving (crawling and likes to hold our hands and walk around), he's almost distracted by where he wants to go and what he wants to do, instead of the strangers. Today our brother in law was in the backyard for about 10 minutes and he cried even though my husband was right near him.

I think it's a normal stage of development, and some kids are just more cautious/apprehensive than others.

Re: stranger anxiety...SO BAD

My DD does the same thing! But only with men. The only men she can stand to be around are my DH and my dad. It's terrible. She screams as if being kidnapped! I hope it passes soon, bc it's actually kinda embarassing sometimes! I feel so bad!!

Re: stranger anxiety...SO BAD

Totally normal! My ped told me its was a good sign. She said it showed that my dd has a strong bond with me and dh. She was like that until she was about 18 months old. Now at 21 months she is much more friendly.