Stress in babies can be observed from the earliest months of life. Although we attribute stress to older children and adults, babies are more vulnerable to stress. Regular events such as bathing can also cause certain levels of stress response in babies. They can also be stressed from physical conditions such as illnesses. Babies also respond to emotions from the environment and parents. Therefore stressful parents or the environment can also lead to stress in little ones. However, studies found that a strong bond with parents and their attention can help reduce stress hormone levels in babies (1). Read on to learn more about the causes, signs, and ways to prevent stress in infants.
Why Is Stress Dangerous For Babies?
Stress in babies can have long-lasting negative effects. Firstly, exposure to chronic stress negatively impacts the baby’s brain. Increased levels of the stress hormone- cortisol, during infancy can be associated with behavioral problems and stress-related disorders in adulthood. In addition to genetics, nutrition, and illnesses, the baby’s experience with the people around them also affects their brain development (2) (3). However, the perception of stress may vary for each baby. Some may feel toxic stress from one incident, while other babies may perceive it as a minor problem (4).
How Do You Know If Your Baby Is Stressed?
It may not be easy to identify or understand when your baby is stressed. Though babies cannot verbally express what they are going through, their behavioral changes could indicate that there is something wrong. You may notice the following signs and symptoms when your baby experiences stress (5) (6): Babies may refuse to eat when they feel fearful and stressed. However, if your baby is not feeding, you should also look for any possible cause of illnesses or constipation. In later stages of infancy, especially when they transition from breastfeeding to eating solid foods, some babies may refuse the new foods because they may still want to breastfeed (5). A study conducted by a team of psychologists from Germany shows that infants become fussy, start crying, and signal parents to pick them up when they are left to play with strangers for a few minutes. This study demonstrates that infants had problems adapting to new situations when they are under stress (3).
What Causes Stress In Babies?
A baby’s stress can be due to emotional or physical reasons. Anything around them – what they see, hear, and feel – plays a vital role in determining their response. Babies could be easily affected by the emotional changes of the primary caregiver and mother (7). They can also experience some level of stress from positive changes such as learning a new skill. However, stress is mostly linked to negative emotions or illnesses. The following factors may cause stress in babies (1) (6): Note: If you notice any signs or symptoms of stress in your baby, and feel that there are no psychological stressors, it is advised to contact their pediatrician to rule out any physical illnesses.
How To Prevent Stress In Babies?
It is essential to prevent stress in your baby since it may have an impact on their mental health and cognitive abilities in later life. Creating a loving bond with the baby is an effective way to make them feel less stressed (8). Each baby has a different temperament, but sometimes, the nurturing touch of a parent or caregiver could be enough to reduce their stress (1). The following tips may also help you to reduce your baby’s stress:
Give them attention while feeding, whether you are breastfeeding or bottle-feeding Offer gentle touches Do not expose the baby to your stress, as it can affect them Be playful with them; play games that are appropriate for their age
Babywearing, a parenting style where your baby is kept close to you with the help of a sling or pouch, can reduce stress. Try not to disturb them when they’re sleeping Respond to their cries; never leave them unattended Give gentle massages
When prevention fails, you may have to resort to measures that help calm the baby.
How Do You Calm A Stressed Baby?
If you notice that your baby is stressed, or does not stop crying, try to find out the reason behind it. Besides addressing the cause for stress, you can also try the following ways that may comfort your baby (9) (10):
Swaddle (wrapping in the blanket) your baby Carry them and walk around Turn on music that they like Make them interact with siblings or pets Change diaper if it is wet or soiled Feed them if they are hungry Give a pacifier or help them find fingers
Brain development is not complete at birth and often depends on the environmental cues that the baby is exposed to after birth. An infant’s brain can’t give high-quality self-stimulation, as it adjusts to what it sees, hears, and feels. Thus, a loving and nurturing stimulation from a caregiver can be good for the baby’s brain development. Stimulation from electronic media cannot replace communication with people (4).
References:
title: “6 Unexpected Causes And Signs Of Stress In Babies” ShowToc: true date: “2022-12-08” author: “Lisa Pomeroy”
Stress in babies can be observed from the earliest months of life. Although we attribute stress to older children and adults, babies are more vulnerable to stress. Regular events such as bathing can also cause certain levels of stress response in babies. They can also be stressed from physical conditions such as illnesses. Babies also respond to emotions from the environment and parents. Therefore stressful parents or the environment can also lead to stress in little ones. However, studies found that a strong bond with parents and their attention can help reduce stress hormone levels in babies (1). Read on to learn more about the causes, signs, and ways to prevent stress in infants.
Why Is Stress Dangerous For Babies?
Stress in babies can have long-lasting negative effects. Firstly, exposure to chronic stress negatively impacts the baby’s brain. Increased levels of the stress hormone- cortisol, during infancy can be associated with behavioral problems and stress-related disorders in adulthood. In addition to genetics, nutrition, and illnesses, the baby’s experience with the people around them also affects their brain development (2) (3). However, the perception of stress may vary for each baby. Some may feel toxic stress from one incident, while other babies may perceive it as a minor problem (4).
How Do You Know If Your Baby Is Stressed?
It may not be easy to identify or understand when your baby is stressed. Though babies cannot verbally express what they are going through, their behavioral changes could indicate that there is something wrong. You may notice the following signs and symptoms when your baby experiences stress (5) (6): Babies may refuse to eat when they feel fearful and stressed. However, if your baby is not feeding, you should also look for any possible cause of illnesses or constipation. In later stages of infancy, especially when they transition from breastfeeding to eating solid foods, some babies may refuse the new foods because they may still want to breastfeed (5). A study conducted by a team of psychologists from Germany shows that infants become fussy, start crying, and signal parents to pick them up when they are left to play with strangers for a few minutes. This study demonstrates that infants had problems adapting to new situations when they are under stress (3).
What Causes Stress In Babies?
A baby’s stress can be due to emotional or physical reasons. Anything around them – what they see, hear, and feel – plays a vital role in determining their response. Babies could be easily affected by the emotional changes of the primary caregiver and mother (7). They can also experience some level of stress from positive changes such as learning a new skill. However, stress is mostly linked to negative emotions or illnesses. The following factors may cause stress in babies (1) (6): Note: If you notice any signs or symptoms of stress in your baby, and feel that there are no psychological stressors, it is advised to contact their pediatrician to rule out any physical illnesses.
How To Prevent Stress In Babies?
It is essential to prevent stress in your baby since it may have an impact on their mental health and cognitive abilities in later life. Creating a loving bond with the baby is an effective way to make them feel less stressed (8). Each baby has a different temperament, but sometimes, the nurturing touch of a parent or caregiver could be enough to reduce their stress (1). The following tips may also help you to reduce your baby’s stress:
Give them attention while feeding, whether you are breastfeeding or bottle-feeding Offer gentle touches Do not expose the baby to your stress, as it can affect them Be playful with them; play games that are appropriate for their age
Babywearing, a parenting style where your baby is kept close to you with the help of a sling or pouch, can reduce stress. Try not to disturb them when they’re sleeping Respond to their cries; never leave them unattended Give gentle massages
When prevention fails, you may have to resort to measures that help calm the baby.
How Do You Calm A Stressed Baby?
If you notice that your baby is stressed, or does not stop crying, try to find out the reason behind it. Besides addressing the cause for stress, you can also try the following ways that may comfort your baby (9) (10):
Swaddle (wrapping in the blanket) your baby Carry them and walk around Turn on music that they like Make them interact with siblings or pets Change diaper if it is wet or soiled Feed them if they are hungry Give a pacifier or help them find fingers
Brain development is not complete at birth and often depends on the environmental cues that the baby is exposed to after birth. An infant’s brain can’t give high-quality self-stimulation, as it adjusts to what it sees, hears, and feels. Thus, a loving and nurturing stimulation from a caregiver can be good for the baby’s brain development. Stimulation from electronic media cannot replace communication with people (4).
