Stranger anxiety often appears around what age?

Stranger anxiety is a developmental milestone that typically emerges as infants start to recognize and differentiate between familiar caregivers and unfamiliar individuals. This fear of strangers is most commonly seen around 9 months of age. At this stage, infants develop a stronger attachment to their primary caregivers and are able to express their discomfort or anxiety when faced with unfamiliar people.

By around 9 months, babies are also becoming more socially aware, which contributes to this response. Behavioral signs of stranger anxiety can include crying, withdrawal, or clinging to a caregiver when approached by someone unfamiliar. This response is a normal part of emotional development and suggests that the child is forming secure attachments and beginning to understand social relationships.

While some infants may show signs of anxiety earlier or later than 9 months, this age is generally recognized as a typical time for the onset of stranger anxiety.