What could result from not properly managing an infant's exposure to strangers?

Not properly managing an infant's exposure to strangers can lead to heightened stranger anxiety. This is a normal developmental milestone that occurs as infants grow and begin to recognize familiar faces versus unfamiliar ones. When infants encounter strangers without adequate support or gradual introduction, they may experience stress and anxiety.

Stranger anxiety typically manifests between the ages of 6 to 12 months, and if an infant is frequently placed in situations with unfamiliar individuals without the opportunity to safely explore or build trust, it can intensify feelings of unease or fear. Proper management includes providing reassurance, maintaining a sense of routine, and allowing the infant time to adjust in a secure environment, which can help mitigate these anxious responses. Thus, a direct relationship exists between managing exposure and the development of emotional responses like stranger anxiety in infants.