Shy Toddler

Supercell

Our little fella is about 17 months old and seems to be getting more and more shy when we are outside.

Previously he would rush over to toys and smile (or frown) at other people but recently all he seems to want to do is bury his head between mummy or daddy's legs when out.

Last week we had a bit of a family get together and the difference in some of the other young kids was quite noticeable to me. They were admittedly all about 6 months plus older than him but it did concern me. Eventually he got his courage up and was running around the place as he would have done at home.

Is this likely to be just a phase or he likely to be a shy personality?
We don't have the money to be sending him to creche which my mother suggested - she says he needs to be around other little people to develop social skills and not be so anxious.
At home he is boisterous, shouts and bangs his toys and generally acts like i imagine most little boys are like.

Is there anything we could do?, do we need to worry at all?
We have another baba due next January so hopefully he'll have a little friend at home to play with then.

pwurple

Phase / normal development I think. Mine went through this, it's just them developing a memory of who they know, and who is a stranger I would guess?

My 2 year old will still be a bit cagey around new people or environments until she sizes it up.

Mink

I was looking up stuff today on Baby Centre and it mentioned this as a phase, stranger anxiety. It generally passes and I think all babies/toddlers go through it to some extent - as previous poster said - they are figuring out difference between strangers and people they know.

But the fact that he eventually gets comfortable and starts running around as normal would make me not worry at all anyway

Suucee

My LO is 16 months and can be like this in new places around new people. If she's at home or in either of her nans shes as mad as ever running around shouting. But bring her some where new and she would hold on to my leg and sometimes even whinge.
Just today alone we were in the front garden and my neighbour came over to talk. LO ran over to me and grabbed my leg but after a few seconds she pottered off and continued playing. We also headed to my brothers house recently and she hasn't been there in weeks or seen any of them and she whinged for ages when we arrived eventually came out of her box a bit and pottered around but wasn't her usual self.
On the other side bring her to the park and she's her usual self. I bring her to Gymboree every Saturday (on summer break at the mo) and shes fine there also but probably know everyone so well.
Maybe if you bring him to a toddler group or something so he's spending time with kids his age. But to be honest I don't its the kids its just strange people and surroundings.
We had a family christening recently and she was quiet and clingy for the first while but like your LO eventually just pottered off playing with her cousins and was soon shouting and laughing like normal.

Supercell

Thanks guys, thats really reassuring to hear!
I guess we should just relax about it and let him progress at his own pace. He is our first so I suppose we are a little paranoid about everything that seems to be a little unusual.

galah

our 20 month old is going through that right now - he defo needs a bit of warm-up time with new people - but as long as they eventually come out of their shell, I wouldnt worry too much!