Mommys Girl

One of my two kids was exactly this way. She didn't want to be held by anybody but me. It's something some babies go through and sometimes it's just their personality. My daughter has always been shy. As she got older she became more comfortable with the people who were constant in her life, but it happened at her own pace and not because of anything I made her do or any tricks. Keep doing what you are doing... she's only 5 months old and can't be reasoned with... she cries and wants mommy and your job at this age is to make sure she feels comfortable and safe.

She'll warm up over time... until then, just tell Grandma to be patient and continue to include her on things with the baby.

Good luck!

Wow, our daughters are born a year apart to the day and sound a lot alike. I was unable to breast feed (I didn't produce any milk) and my daughter was in her crib from the day we brought her home, although she did sleep with us on occasion. However, she sounds just like your daughter. Maybe it's those June 29th babies =O). My daughter did this from around Christmas until just after her first birthday. I held her though her first birthday, she wouldn't go to anyone else. She DID NOT LIKE my grandma who is now her favorite person (besides me, my husband and my mom). Your daughter will grow out of it. I read somewhere not to apologise for it and just accept it. It was the best advice I ever got. Everyone in my family thought she was spoiled because she wouldn't sit with anyone for longer then a few minutes, and cried A LOT! But now she's all over the place and could care a less, most of the time, where I am.
I do think they feed off the stress of other people, and the parents. If you feel stress when your MIL is around (which I know I did when I would head into a house full of people I knew Elizabeth would cry at), she could be reading into that also.
One last thing to consider are smells. Does your MIL smoke, or wear strong smelling stuff? Elizabeth would be happier with my grandma at my house or my moms house then my grandma's house because my grandpa is a smoker and the house stinks (it breaks my heart to bring her over there). I also noticed that she hated when my sister held her after she smoked (which actually caused my sister to cut back to only a couple smokes a day) and hated my cousin who smokes.
Best of luck, know you are not alone and this too shall pass =O)
C.

Hi A.
I have 4 children very close in age
what you need to do is go to the store and leave her for the 10-20 minutes yeah she going to cry but you as a Mother need a break I am a stay at home mom to let grandma be with her its not going to happen over night
but it will happen and just make sure that your daughter isn't fussy I know easier said then done I trust you will get through this
God Bless and Good Luck
Danielle Mother of 4

You and baby are right, grandma's wrong. Don't expect or require your baby to warm up to grandma. Grandma will just have to deal with it.

First off, she probably does sense the tension. Your baby has every right not to want to be with Grandma, and Grandma is supposed to be the adult here. Hopefully Grandma will be mature enough to wait it out until the baby is old enough to appreciate her. That will happen, eventually (assuming Grandma has positive qualities).

Meanwhile, it's normal for babies to want mommy exclusively, and you are completely correct in how you're handling this. It's not your baby's job to cure Grandmas depression. Jeez!!!!!