Loud trucks. The bathtub. A lawn mower. Babies this age commonly develop fears about aspects of daily life that never bothered them before. As your baby becomes more aware of his or her surroundings and is starting to explore, there may be a fear of things that can't be understood (bathwater pouring out of a faucet), harsh sounds (a noisy garbage disposal), or things that startle (a jack-in-the-box). Or the fear may have no clear explanation.

At this age, fears are usually just a passing disturbance, especially if you react with patience and calm. Instead of dismissing or pooh-poohing a fear, gradually help your baby overcome it. Slowly introduce the thing that is troubling: For example, hold your baby while you fill the tub, letting him or her see you turn on the faucet. Smile and tell your baby what you're doing and splash your hand in the water to show that it's not harmful – and can even be fun.

If your baby doesn't stop showing fear, trust that he or she will eventually outgrow it. For the time being, try to remove your baby from the frightening object or situation as much as possible. For example, if your baby continues to fear the sound of the faucet, fill the tub and shut off the water before bringing him or her into the bathroom.

If new fears seem to be cropping up regularly, make sure your baby has the security of a "lovey," or comfort object. A stuffed animal or blankie can ease anxiety in a scary situation, like getting dropped off at daycare or meeting new people.

If you know you'll be exposing your baby to something that may frighten him or her, it may help to prepare for the possibility through pretend play – by playing "doctor's office" before a checkup, for instance, or buying a toy shopping cart if he or she gets upset during visits to the grocery store.

Related Items Easing your toddler's fears