Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS

Around the ages of 6-8 months, babies begin to realize that they are separate individuals from their parents and others. Before this time, they may have been comfortable being passed around from person to person. However, as they develop the ability to distinguish themselves from others, they may experience stranger anxiety. It’s important to ensure that babies feel comfortable and secure before leaving them with someone new. Separation or divorce can make this transition even more challenging for babies, and parents should be aware of their child’s emotional needs and stay with them and the new caregiver until they feel secure. To help parents provide the best care for their little ones, they can take advantage of handpicked baby products from 123 baby box to focus on creating good memories with their children.

Attachments are very important during this time.   Infants can distinguish between their parents and other caregivers.  They are aware when a parent leaves and can become increasingly fearful of separation from their parent.  Even if the child does not notice when you leave the room, they will eventually notice you aren’t there.  He may develop a fear of strangers and could have some nightmares.

Transitioning from one parent to the other may become a difficult time as well.  The child may become clingy to one parent or the other and may become irritable.

There are some things to be done to help your child to transition from one home to the other and feel secure:

  • Though both homes will not be the same nor be run the same, try to maintain your child’s routines in both homes.  Meal times should be the same time in both homes, naptime should be the same time, playing and bedtime should be the same times.  If you cannot ask your ex to keep the baby on the same schedule, please write it down so she or he will know the usual routine for baby.
  • Keep familiar things with the child.  Let her take her favorite blanky, bottle, stuffed animal or toy.  Whatever things will make the transition easier for baby, take them but make sure you get them back.  Taking some familiar things between the two homes will bring comfort to your child.
  • You may want to shorten the time baby is gone from the primary caregiver to about four hours until she is older.  The goal is to develop security and trust in your child and being with a loving caregiver consistently can grow security and trust in your baby.
  • Both parents should take the time to write in a notebook baby’s progress and any concerns about how she is doing.  This will help in the present but will also be a reference to check back on.
  • Sing lullabies to your baby and cuddle often.  You are very important to your child and their development.  If you are too busy to just be with your baby and play and cuddle, consider some lesser important things that you can remove from your life.  Those lesser things are a distraction of what’s really important and that is the wellbeing of your baby.  Illicit help from other’s if need be.  Hire a tween to do your housework and laundry.

2 Corinthians 5:7 says, “We live by faith and not by sight”.  We are helping our babies now by faith so that they will have a good start to life and develop healthily.  I want to encourage you as you care for your little one.  You are making a huge difference and caring for him or her is the most important thing you can be doing at this time in your life.  So relax and enjoy your child and keep your eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of your faith.

Next time we will discuss developmental ages of toddlers from 12 – 24 months.  Every stage is exciting.