That's because between 4 and 7 months babies begin to realize that people and objects exist even when they can't see them. This is called object permanence. For example, if you leave the room your baby will know that you've gone away.
Babies and toddlers often get clingy and cry if you or their other carers leave them, even for a short time. Separation anxiety and fear of strangers is common in young children between the ages of 6 months and 3 years, but it's a normal part of your child's development and they usually grow out of it.
Babies don't understand time. So when their parents leave, they think they're gone forever. Babies don't understand that their parents are still here, as in here on earth, and they will return. Signs of separation anxiety that stem from you leaving include crying when you leave the room.
Many infants begin to show separation distress between 8 and 12 months of age. Infants might cry, scream or cling when a parent is leaving. Infants have trouble being separated from a parent for long periods of time, such as overnight. Separation can be hard for infants because they have strong feelings for the parent.
Babies don't understand that something exists even when it leaves the room or moves away. If they can't see it, they think it is gone. Your baby might even cry if you walk into a nearby room, because they don't realize what's happening. Rest assured, it's completely normal.
Even from birth, babies can communicate with you. A newborn doesn't realise they are a separate person. Infants in the first eight weeks have no control over their movements and all their physical activity is involuntary or reflex.
They may begin to recognize your face, and the faces of close relatives, by around 4 months old. Just a few months or so after your baby first begins to light up when they see you, they might start to wail and fuss when you're apart.
By 3 months, they will smile back at you. By 4 to 6 months, they will turn to you and expect you to respond when upset. By 7 or 8 months, they will have a special response just for you (they may also be upset by strangers). Your baby may also start to respond to your stress, anger or sadness.
“In the early years, the baby has an intense need to be with his mother which is as basic as his need for food.”
Research has shown that, during pregnancy, your baby feels what you feel—and with the same intensity. That means if you're crying, your baby feels the same emotion, as if it's their own. During the gestational period, your baby is preparing themselves for life in the outside world.
Ideally, between 4 and 9 months is the best time to leave your baby overnight for the first time. This is because before 4 months your baby will still be establishing breastfeeding and building a connection between both parents, so they're a little too young to be away from you.
Seven months to 12 months
At around seven months, your baby will realise that you and themselves are separate people. This is a huge cognitive leap worthy of celebration . Because of this, your baby may become distressed and start crying when you leave them, even for a short while.
No, it's a normal concern, but don't worry. Your baby's not going to forget you. You should realize, though, that she will—and should—bond with other people.
When is it okay to leave my baby with grandparents overnight? It's ultimately up to you. If your baby is able to eat well without you there and grandparents are able to take good care of your baby, it's okay to let your baby sleep over if that's something you want.
The first three months with your baby often seem the hardest. Sleep-deprived parents can feel overwhelmed, but that is normal and you will quickly learn how to read your baby's cues and personality. Don't worry about “spoiling” your baby at this stage. The more responsive you are, the more secure your baby will feel.
Emotionally absent or cold mothers can be unresponsive to their children's needs. They may act distracted and uninterested during interactions, or they could actively reject any attempts of the child to get close. They may continue acting this way with adult children.
Babies often prefer their primary caregiver
Most babies naturally prefer the parent who's their primary caregiver, the person they count on to meet their most basic and essential needs. This is especially true after 6 months when separation anxiety starts to set in.
Research shows that a baby's health can improve when they sleep close to their parents. In fact, babies that sleep with their parents have more regular heartbeats and breathing. They even sleep more soundly. Being close to parents is even shown to reduce the risk of SIDS.
By two months, most babies will look happy to see you, and they'll smile when you talk to them. For many parents, those smiles are a heartwarming first glimpse of true affection. By four months, your baby will be smiling unprompted, hoping to catch your attention with a little “I love you” from across the room.
In short, yes: Babies do feel love. Even though it will be quite a while before they're able to verbalize their feelings, they can and do understand emotional attachment.
Babytalk | A baby's bond with its mother may start with the sense of smell. One of my favorite things to do is show mothers how their baby can smell them from as far away as 1 to 2 feet.
As early as three months, babies learn to recognize their parents or primary caregivers. And there staring is their way to communicate. Babies can't quite interact yet for the first few months, so their staring is their way of communicating with you.
Infancy, for many parents, can be a difficult stage. It's not just about adjusting to caring for a baby or dealing with sudden sleep deprivation. It's also the stage when your baby can start to develop a strong preference for you—and only you.
Based primarily on voice recognition, some researchers believe newborns can recognize their mothers almost immediately after birth. And of course, breastfed newborns quickly become familiar with their mother's unique scent. True visual recognition probably takes a few weeks.