I think my baby Clarisse has entered what is called a missing-mummy phase. She’s a week into her 8th month and typically that’s when it happens.

Yesterday I visited a school mate of mine. She has a baby girl one month younger than my baby Clarisse. When I went into the house, I was surprised her baby smiled when she saw me. I carried her and instead of crying, she seemed so happy.

Her pleasant reaction to strangers is a far cry from my baby Clarisse. And lately, her sensitivity towards strangers seems to have gotten worst. She would cry for mommy whenever strangers try to carry her. When she’s in an unpleasant mood, she’d even cry before someone even touches her. Just a few weeks ago, she was much braver and open to strangers.

My sister told me about this phase she might be going through. It usually starts around 8 months old. I knew it would somehow kick in sooner or later as fully breastfed babies are more affected by this developmental phase. Babies grow more attach to their primary caregiver, usually their mommies at around 8 or 9 months of age.

Understanding this is a developmental phase she has to go through, I tend not to subject baby Clarisse to any uncomfortable situations; usually when family and friends try to embrace her. Baby Clarisse would lean back onto my chest when she doesn’t wish to be handed over. Some family and friends do understand and realise that baby Clarisse is mature enough and has reached this so called shy phase. Quick and forced advances would only scare her away. They are wise not to pick or hug her immediately. Instead, they would smile, talk and play with her. Slowly and patiently trying to break down baby Clarisse’s resistance.

On the other hand, some people are oblivious to this shy phase, critisizes that baby Clarisse is too attached to mommy and said I should have exposed her more to family and friends.

As I’ve mentioned, breastfed babies are usually more affected by this and they would cry for hours when mommy is away from them. In baby Clarisse’s case, even in the presence of papa or grandma trying their best to pacify her. Since I still breast feed my baby Clarisse, I guess I can’t be away from her long until this missing-mummy phase has passed.