Fears and Insecurities

When your baby can stand up alone, he becomes aware of many new things - some of which can be scary.

Many 9-month-olds become afraid of heights and will no longer climb down from chairs, even though they have before.

Loud noises, such as the vacuum cleaner or the blender, may now frighten him.

Your baby may even refuse to be bathed in the big bathtub. Try sponge baths or bathing him with you in the tub (holding him).

Don’t laugh at your infant’s fears. They are just as real to him as your fears are to you.

Comfort your baby. Try to avoid scary things, or encourage him to face the thing he is afraid of. For example, let him touch the turned-off vacuum cleaner. Your baby will grow out of these new fears with your understanding and help.

Recliner Chairs Can Trap Your Baby

Children have been hurt or killed in recliner chair accidents. A child's head and neck can become trapped between the leg rest and chair if the chair folds up. Children between 12 and 30 months old have had their head and neck trapped between the leg rest and the chair (if the chair folds up). The children were injured or killed when they were alone in a room and climbed on the leg rest of the chair.

If you have a recliner chair: Always keep it in an upright position when it’s not in use.

Don’t let your baby play on the leg rest, even when an adult is in the chair.

For more information, visit the Consumer Product Safety Commission Publications Page. Report any accident with recliner chairs or with any baby products to the Consumer Product Safety Commission at 800-638-CPSC.

Want to Learn More about Child Care and Development?

Check out this Web site: Zero to Three for Parents on development in the first three years of life.

If you have questions, contact your local Extension office. Find the nearest office at: CSREES State & National Partners.

When reading this newsletter, remember: Every baby is different. Children may do things earlier or later than described here. This newsletter gives equal space and time to both sexes. If we write he or she, we are talking about all babies.