How can I help my anxious baby

amother

OP ↓

Yesterday at 2:13 pm

I’m at a complete loss at the moment. My 13 month old is so anxious. She’s always been anxious and fearful. She will scream out of fear in crowds and get super overwhelmed. She is afraid of men. She’s extremely empathetic and if another person is upset or crying she will mirror their emotions and won’t become happy until they are. She super alert and smart from day one she’s been super aware of everything and everyone around her. Random things will set her off and she won’t calm down until she is away from whatever set her off, a person ,a place, a noise.

On the other hand she can be super social, she’s funny and sweet and so so smart.
And then it’s also hard to know what is her anxiety and what is just normal baby things?

I’m worried that her anxiety is my fault. I was extremely anxious and stressed during pregnancy due to a family matter that was out of my control. I wish I hadn’t been. And I feel horrible that I caused her to be this way.

Does anyone have any experience with an anxious baby? And is there anything I can do to help her? I will literally try anything.
Any support is welcome as well.

Dolly Welsh

Yesterday at 2:28 pm

Not your fault. During the pregnancy.

Now, however, mind that you are not modeling anxiety to her. And, babies can feel your feelings from another room through a wall.

So, determine you just won't be anxious anymore. It's just too bothersome.

Feed her fats and eggs and butter.

Expose her to men briefly. Have them sing to her. Sing yourself. Later, teach her singing and music, and drawing. These things will regulate her emotions.

Disclaimer, I am no shrink.

amother

↑ OP

Yesterday at 3:57 pm

Thank you everyone for all the replies. I will look into all these options.
Thank you.

For the question on her birth. Labor was 2 days long after induction, and her hand was by her head when she came out. But I wouldn’t say it was traumatic in anyway

I should have added to the original post that a small trauma did happen to her when she was a newborn. Which I don’t want to go into detail because it’s a well known story and would give away my identity.