Separation Anxiety In Babies

1. Separation anxiety is a common stage that a child go through, where the child becomes nervous and fearful when separated from parent, another caretaker or a person the child is attached to. This condition happens between 8 months of age to 3 years of age (Ricci, Kyle &Carman, 2013, pg. 1128). people’s attitudes about separation of babies are cultural, since western cultures encourage autonomy at a very early age while in other cultures separation of mother and baby is not encouraged especially during the baby’s first year of life. Separation from the person who takes care of the baby from him/her might leave the baby feeling defenseless. The symptoms of this condition are extreme crying, expression of anger, clinging to the person they are
Stranger anxiety and separation anxiety develops around 8 months of age. Like separation anxiety, child respond by severe crying to stranger anxiety too. Stranger anxiety happens as a stranger comes near the child and starts interacting with him/her, even in the presence of the parent or caretaker. For example, a family member who is not a frequent visitor for the baby when suddenly starts to interact with the baby, the baby will start crying even though the parent or caretaker is by their side. The parent should not let an unfamiliar person handle the baby when the baby is experiencing stranger anxiety, instead the parent must herself console the baby. This behavior means that the infant differentiates between a familiar and an unfamiliar face. Stranger anxiety could be considered as a healthy sign of emotional development and attachment. Thus, infrequent visitors must approach the infant calmly and slowly to prevent the baby from
There are many ways to ease the separation anxiety in the child. According to Kaneshiro, Ogilive and Zieve (2014), to get over separation anxiety, children must learn to trust that the parents will return to them, they must be comfortable around people other than parents and must feel safe in their home environment (para 7). Firstly, the mother must practice separation by leaving the child with the caretaker for brief periods and short distances at first. The parent can also leave the kid to play with other children or friends or family for around one hour (KVPTPBS, 2009). This prepares the child to thrive in the parent’s absence. Moreover, the parent must control his/her emotions when leaving the kid since the child could take his/her cues from the parent. Parent should not look upset, instead should look calm. Thirdly, the parent can inform the child about the time of their return in such a way that the child would understand. For example, the mother can say that she will be back after the child’s afternoon nap time which is more apprehensible than saying “I’ll be back by 5:00 pm.”. Another way to minimize separation anxiety is to provide the child with a consistent caregiver. This promotes trust and acceptance. According to Ricci et al (2013) a nurse can reduce separation anxiety, you can place the child with another child who is experiencing the same condition (pg. 1134). In addition to explaining all procedures, treatments and your activities to the