As Halloween stretches its creepy claws toward us again this year, a terrifying array of sights and sounds is just waiting to scare the daylights out of your baby. Ghosts wail from drugstore aisles, goblins howl from front lawns, and strangers lurk about in spooky costumes. For some kids, the whole thing can be extremely distressing. What's a mom to do?

"What's fun for older children can be very frightening to infants and toddlers," says behavioral psychologist Stephen Garber, PhD, coauthor of Monsters Under the Bed and Other Childhood Fears. "Young kids can't tell the difference between fantasy and reality. In a mask, even their brother or sister becomes a different person."

All human beings are born with certain basic fears (loud noises, sudden drops); eons ago, scientists theorize, such fears kept our ancestors from getting hurt. But more complex anxieties emerge as babies develop a sense of their surroundings. At 6 to 8 months, it begins to dawn on them that Mommy and Daddy are actually independent beings—people who can physically separate from them. Soon they realize they have something to lose: you. "As their self-awareness grows, so does their vulnerability," Dr. Garber explains.

Between 8 months and 2 years, even the blithest babies may scream when their parents leave the room. As they grow, they often find themselves feeling threatened by anything new or different, including large animals, flashing lights, sudden movements and strangers.

Halloween, then, can be a veritable lollapalooza of baby fears. Your tot may or may not react badly to the scary stuff, but just encountering such things can help her work through issues. "Halloween allows children to safely address their fears—and can even make them seem fun," notes Dr. Garber.
While some kids appear naturally brave, family conditioning can also make a difference. In the right environment, researchers say, nervous kids often learn to minimize their own fear. "Babies watch their parents for cues," says Lawrence Balter, PhD, a New York City-based child psychologist. "If you don't want your kids to be afraid of something, try not to show fear yourself."

Most children will overcome their early anxieties by age 3. Still, it helps to know that it's normal for babies to develop certain fears—and that it may actually protect them in the future. So the next time your kid gets spooked, remember: "You're just witnessing the development of her survival mechanisms," Dr. Garber says. And that's not so scary, is it?    

Soothing Solutions
Prevent future anxiety by helping your baby cope now. Dr. Balter's advice:

• Be her safe place. When she gets scared, soothe her until she is no longer afraid. Stroking her hair, singing or rocking her may help.
• Don't push. Be aware of her natural temperament. If she's screaming wildly, let her calm down. Never force her to confront something when she's terrified.
• Act as a role model. Babies mirror their parents' emotions. You might freak out at the sight of a bug or you might fearlessly pick it up, but it's a sure bet your baby is watching whatever you do—and learning from it.