What does stranger anxiety in infants indicate?

Stranger anxiety is a normal developmental milestone that typically occurs in infants around 6 to 12 months of age. It reflects the healthy development of attachment, indicating that the infant has formed strong emotional bonds with their primary caregivers. This attachment leads to the infant's ability to distinguish between familiar faces, such as their parent or caregiver, and unfamiliar ones, which is a fundamental aspect of social development.

When infants exhibit stranger anxiety, it is a sign that they recognize their caregivers as sources of comfort and safety, thus demonstrating a sense of trust and security in those relationships. This reaction is a natural response that indicates the infant's growing social skills and emotional intelligence. As they continue to develop, they will learn how to interact more comfortably with new people and environments, which is an essential part of their overall emotional health and social development.