If it's on the floor or anywhere else within your baby's reach, chances are it'll find its way into her mouth. Grossed out yet? You will be. Learn more about solid foods for your baby at WhatToExpect.com: https://www.whattoexpect.com/first-ye... Download the What to Expect app: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/pregn... https://play.google.com/store/apps/de... Heidi Murkoff, creator of What to Expect, is here to guide you through every stage of your baby's life. Watch all of our first year videos: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list... FOLLOW US: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WhatToExpect... Twitter: https://twitter.com/WhatToExpect Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/whattoexpect/ Instagram: https://instagram.com/whattoexpect/ Transcript: As your baby makes a beeline for the bees she spied on a flower, or pulls up on the curtain to traverse the living room, or uses the ottoman as a leg up on the shelf you thought for sure she couldn't reach, your baby may seem the definition of fearless. Until you turn on the vacuum cleaner or the blender, or you flush the toilet and she suddenly starts wailing with terror, or a splash of tear-free bath foam in her eyes sparks tears and sheer panic the next time you run the tub. A walking talking teddy you were certain she'd love chasing sends her cowering into your arms instead. Activities that used to have her squealing, like being lifted high and flown through the air or swung on a swing, now have her screaming. Daddy putting a monkey mask on was a hoot! Now it's horrifying. When your baby was younger, he was easily startled by loud noises, unexpected sensations and sights, or abrupt movements, but he wasn't easily scared by them. That's because his thought process wasn't sophisticated enough. As his understanding of the world grows, and with it his ability to sort out in his still evolving baby brain what's a legitimate threat and what isn't, his fears grow too. Crawling screaming from the vacuum cleaner may seem irrational to you, but in his mind that very loud machine looks and sounds menacing, especially when it starts that horrible high-pitched whirr without warning. Sooner or later your little one will leave her baby fears behind, though toddler fears may take their place - say, monsters under the bed instead of morning smoothies in the blender. Whenever fear strikes, try not to make fun. Yes, most everything your baby does is adorable, even clutching your legs in terror when you switch on the disposal, but cute as her fears may be, or as silly as you think they are, they're real to her. Accepting and respecting her fears as real will help her overcome them faster. Offer comfort for fears as needed, whenever it's needed. If your baby wails when you push for crushed ice, pick him up quickly and give him a great big reassuring hug. But don't overdo the consoling or you might reinforce the idea that there is in fact something to fear besides fear itself. Forcing your little one to face her fears can dial up their intensity. Instead of making her come nose-to-nozzle with the vacuum, let her confront the noisy beast on her own terms and in her own time when she feels safe. Let her study the vacuum when it's turned off and unplugged. Then when she's managed that, hold her securely while someone else pushes on. Instead of plunking baby in a bath he's suddenly afraid of, let him ease back into tubby time, maybe with a new set of soap crayons to distract him, a favorite toy to sit on the edge and watch him, or take a dunk with him until he's ready to go solo again. If dogs are baby's demon, first try watching them from afar. Take baby steps closer until she's able to approach a dog from the safety of your arms. Just make sure it's one you know won't jump, bark or snap. Practice petting a stuffed dog at home and read books about friendly dogs. Here's to overcoming fears.
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