an in the area and was a veteran with over 30 years of experience. “How has Olivia been doing?” the doctor asked while checking the chart. “There’s been something concerning recently,” Emily began hesitantly.
“She often cries intensely in the mornings, and my husband says my parenting is bad.” Dr. Johnson raised his eyebrows. Only in the mornings. Crying at specific times is quite interesting. At that moment, the examination room door opened and Michael rushed in out of breath. Sorry I’m late. The meeting ran long. No problem. We just started. Dr.
Johnson smiled. Let’s begin the examination. First came the weight measurement. Olivia was growing well with both weight and height within normal ranges. Dr. Johnson nodded with satisfaction as he recorded the measurements. Now, let me check her heart rate with the stethoscope. The doctor picked up his stethoscope and said to Michael, “Father, could you hold Olivia?” The moment Michael took Olivia from Emily, the atmosphere in the examination room changed.
Olivia, who had been relatively calm until then, suddenly began crying and screaming intensely. It wasn’t ordinary crying, but screaming filled with terror. “What’s wrong?” Michael tried to soothe Olivia in confusion, but their daughter’s body stiffened, becoming hard as stone. Dr. Johnson continued observing calmly. His experienced eyes seemed to be catching something. Let’s watch for a moment.
Every time Michael approached Olivia, the baby’s breathing clearly became faster. Her body trembled and she clenched her small fists tightly. Emily became worried and stood up. Should I hold her? No. Let me observe a little longer. Dr. Johnson raised his hand to stop her. Male nurse Tom entered the examination room.
Doctor, the next patient is ready, he started to say, then noticed Olivia’s condition. The moment he tried to approach, Olivia showed a freeze response. Her crying suddenly stopped. Her body completely stiffened and her breathing became shallow. Interesting. Dr. Johnson murmured quietly. “Emily, could you hold Olivia?” When Emily picked up Olivia, her daughter showed some signs of calming down.
However, she wasn’t completely relaxed and still seemed to be on guard. At that moment, Margaret’s voice could be heard from the waiting room. She had arrived late due to work commitments. When she was guided into the examination room by the nurse, Olivia’s expression changed dramatically. When Margaret approached Olivia, the baby showed a truly relaxed expression for the first time.
It was as if she had reached a safe harbor. A deep sense of security appeared on her face. When Margaret picked her up, Olivia even smiled slightly. Dr. Johnson was carefully observing this series of reactions. Emily, I’d like to speak with you privately in another room. When Michael started to stand up, the doctor shook his head. Just her, please.
In the separate room, Dr. Johnson faced Emily with a serious expression. Emily Olivia’s reaction is a typical selective fear response. Selective fear response. Emily was confused by the unfamiliar term. It’s a reaction showing abnormal fear towards specific situations or people. Even at 3 months old, babies can instinctively distinguish between safe and dangerous people.
Emily’s face turned pale. That means who usually takes care of the baby? The doctor asked carefully. I work so my mother-in-law watches her during the day. Emily’s voice was trembling. Dr. Johnson lowered his voice. Install hidden cameras immediately. What? Olivia is clearly distinguishing between safe people and dangerous people.
She was completely relaxed with your mother-in-law, but her reaction to men, especially her father, is abnormal. We need to confirm what’s happening. Emily felt her hands shaking. Could it be that Michael is? I can’t make a definitive judgment yet. But baby’s reactions don’t lie. They can sense dangers that adults don’t notice. The doctor continued.
