very shy baby...?

As Julz said, as long as she shows emotion and interacts normally around your and your husband then things are probably fine.

When you are in different surroundings or there are different people around just reassure her that you are there and if she wants to just sit on your lap or stand by you for the first hour or however long then let her. When she is ready (and probably older more than now) she will go play with others. Don't force her to do somethign she is not comfortable with as that will only make it worse.

My mother says that when my older brother was born (her first child - she was only about 23) she did evreything by the book cos she didn't know what she was doing. So when they said feed him, she did, when they said leave him to cry, she did. Exactly as the book says. Today he is the most insecure and reserved of us all.

With my younger brother however (her 3rd child - she was 32) she decided "stuff the books" she had mother's instinct and she was going to do as her gut told her. So when he got invited to birthday parties at 6 or 7 years old and was too shy/nervous to go alone she went with him, regardless of the fact that she was the only other mother there. When he was unsure of something, she reassured him and she never ever forced him to do something he didn't feel comfortable doing. Today (he's just turned 24) he is the most confident and outgoing of all of us.

So basically love your baby and let them know they are safe and go with your gut!

I think babies are like growm-ups and you get different degrees of socialising. Just like when you go to a party as an adult, there will be those sitting in the corner proppping the bar up, versus those taking off thier shirts and doing the Macarena with the aid of a strippers pole. Both are "acceptable" and okay in the spectrum.

I would still encourage my child to socialise and be supportive in situations. I would not force them to be in a situation where they were clearly uncomfortable. But I also would not encourage them to hide behind my leg.

Positive re-inforcement goes a long way rather than negative comments. You may find that your child will hook up with a slightly more outgoing child at some point, and this may be her support to get more out there in a play ground setting.

Some kids are just more shy than others (just like adults!).

I'm actually a very shy person (it's a bit better now) but when I was in school it was horrible. I couldn't talk in front of the class, I didn't even put my hand up to ask or answer a question. It was horrible! I still feel like I just want to clam up when I'm in 'unknown' company.

OK what I've learned along the way is to NEVER say in front of your child that she is shy, fat, thin etc. So when someone starts talking to your child and she clams up, don't say - OH SHE'S A VERY SHY CHILD! She will then grow up believing she is shy. Just let her be and give her time to absorb her surroundings.

My younger daughter is also a bit shy around strangers, but I don't tell her she is shy. I also don't force her to go play with the other kids when we go somewhere. She will eventually go play if she wants to.

Does she show emotion around you?

children need to interact with others in order to learn social skills, but I wouldn't worry too much at the moment unless she isn't showing emotion with you either. Then chat to your paed.

My baby is almost a year now, and I know first time moms worry about everything, but I was wondering whether if it is normal (or should I be worried) for a baby to always withdraw and become dead quiet when she is in a different environment with different people (or family)?
She was like this from very little, she becomes almost like a retard unable to show any emotion when taken anywhere else but home.It is as if she just absorbs everyting around her, but unable to show any emotion.
I work from home, so she spends a lot of time with just me or my husband. She doesn't see a lot of other family often as they stay far away. I am jumping the gun here?