Baby See, Baby Do
People say babies are like sponges. They soak up information from the world around them and learn things at a fast pace. Theyâre also watching you.
âFrom birth, infants pick up on emotional cues from others. Even very young infants look to caregivers to determine how to react to a given situation,â says Jennifer E. Lansford, PhD, a professor with the Social Science Research Institute and the Center for Child and Family Policy at Duke University.
So when it comes to their parentsâ emotions, babies are tuned in. Stress can be spread from parent to child. In one study, babies were kept apart from their mothers for a short time while the moms completed a stressful task. When reunited, the babies showed signs of stress, too.
Stress: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly
Worried about how to be totally stress-free so you donât pass on frazzled feelings? Don’t be. Not all stress is harmful. The CDC sorts stress into three categories:
- Positive stress: the low-level anxiety you might have when you meet new people or await a needle stick at the doctor
- Tolerable stress: more intense but still manageable, from events like losing a job or a family member
- Toxic stress: intense anxiety from something that goes on for a long time, like abuse or neglect
Toxic stress is the one that should concern you, says Sarah A. Keim, PhD, a pediatric expert at Nationwide Childrenâs Hospital in Columbus, OH. If you feel stressed out all the time, your baby may, too. Feeling anxious and pressured can also impact how you care for your child, Lansford says.
âIt affects parents’ well-being,â she says. âStressed parents are less responsive to their infants’ cues, and that less-sensitive caregiving is stressful to babies.â
Everyone has some stress. How you deal with it can help your babyâs emotional growth.
âA little stress gives us motivation, drive, and purpose,â Keim says. And if you have a healthy response to stress, your baby will mirror you.
Continued
Tips to Take Control of Your Stress
- Find out the problem. The source of your anxiety may be clear — money struggles or problems at work, for example. Or it might not be obvious and you may need to dig. Try to figure out what causes it so you can look out for, and try to avoid, triggers.
- Put the focus on you. To take care of your baby, you have to first take care of yourself. Eat well, get as much sleep as possible (nap when baby naps, really), drink plenty of water, and exercise.
- Get help. If youâre truly stressed out, turn to someone you trust for support. You can also contact a trained professional such as a psychologist to help you manage your load in a healthy way.
How to Soothe a Stressed Baby
What does an anxious baby look like? âSome might assume crying is the primary way infants would respond to stress, but this isn’t necessarily the case,â Keim says. Your baby may be stressed if she:
- Does not make eye contact
- Spreads her fingers wide
- Sneezes often
- Yawns often
To help her relax:
- Gently put your hand on her head or feet.
- Place her hands together.
- Encourage her to suck on a pacifier or your thumb or finger.
- Swaddle her in a blanket.
- Hold or rock her gently while you make a âshhhâ sound.
Sources
SOURCES:
American Psychological Association: âStress tip sheet.â
CDC: âThe Effects of Childhood Stress On Health Across the Lifespan.â
Center on the Developing Child, Harvard University: âPersistent Fear and Anxiety Can Affect Young Childrenâs Learning and Development.â
Chester County Hospital: âSigns of Stress and Calming Techniques for Infants.â
Sarah A. Keim, PhD, principal investigator, Center for Biobehavioral Health, The Research Institute, Nationwide Childrenâs Hospital; assistant professor of pediatrics, The Ohio State University College of Medicine; assistant professor of epidemiology, Ohio State University College of Public Health, Columbus, OH.
Jennifer E. Lansford, PhD, research professor, Social Science Research Institute and Center for Child and Family Policy, Duke University.
Waters, S. Psychological Science, 2014.
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