Has your once pliable infant suddenly started taking a pass on pass-the-baby? Being anti-social with strangers may seem strange behavior for someone who’s always gone willingly to the nearest lap, but it’s perfectly normal at this stage of development. When your little one was younger, he was a lot less picky about the peeps he hung out with. Now that he’s a tad older and a wee bit wiser, he’s clued into the fact that Mommy and Daddy are the most important people in his life. Everyone else — even the grandparents he once adored — take a back seat, and preferably from his perspective, as far away a seat as possible. So what do you do?

Wait it out. The best approach is to wait it out. With some babies, this phase will be over in a flash. With others, it may linger for months. But sooner or later, your child will realize that he doesn’t have to choose between you and others, and his suspicion of strangers will pass.

Tell people baby needs time. Until then, give family members and friends a heads up on what’s going on in your little one’s head, which will also help head off any hurt feelings. Tell them it’s not personal — your baby is just going through an anxious phase and he needs time to warm up. Coach them on how to woo your little guy. For example, instead of trying to pick him up right away, suggest they talk quietly and move closer at a glacier’s pace. You can also invite relatives and friends to play peekaboo with him or entice him with a toy while you hold your baby on your lap, the place he feels safest.

Don’t force your baby. If that doesn’t melt his resistance, be patient. Forcing him to come face-to-face with his anxiety — and those strangers — will only feed it. It’ll be less stressful for everyone if you let your shrinking violet decide when and where to open up. And eventually — I promise — he will.