Stranger anxiety is when a baby becomes wary, clingy or fearful around unfamiliar people. The CDC lists being shy, clingy or fearful around strangers as a milestone by 9 months; it is a normal sign that the baby can tell familiar faces from new ones.
What you can do
- Hold your baby while they meet new people.
- Ask visitors to talk from a distance before coming closer.
- Do not hand your baby over against their will.
