A fun way to teach your baby about different people is by playing the following game.
- Step 1. Take several different hats from around the house and try each one on for your baby.
- Step 2. Each time she may look confused but after taking off the hat she will realize it is you, and a strange disguise is not that scary.
- Step 3. This will help prepare her for new people and those who look different than what she is used too.
Testing out a babysitter is not a bad idea either. Try using a grandparent or someone who is close to your child at first. Then try to adhere to the following steps when you are leaving:
- Step 1. Be careful not to “sneak” out of the house when your baby is not looking.
- Step 2. Keep it short, but always say goodbye to your baby.
- Step 3. She may cry and fuss, but when you return she will understand that you always come back.
- Step 4. If you leave without saying goodbye, your baby’s fear of you “disappearing” seems true.
- Step 5. Display a happy face and wave when leaving to enforce that leaving is not a bad thing and you will return
Baby separation anxiety can happen overnight and will affect even the most pleasant and care-free babies. Simply knowing that it is a phase does not mean it will be any easier to deal with when it happens. You must prepare yourself for it in advance and take the necessary measures to make it as quick of a transition as possible.
Did your baby have separation anxiety? If so, how did you and your family overcome this? Thank-you for reading this post. Please leave your thoughts in the comment section below.