(CMR) Babies can sense the stress in their parents or those around them. Parenting Science says they don't just detect our tension; they are affected by it. Stress is contagious. That is one reason to look after your well-being and to calm down before interacting with your child.
Infants can pick up on emotional cues from others from as early as birth. Even very young infants look to caregivers to determine how to react to a given situation,” says Jennifer E. Lansford, PhD, a professor with the Social Science Research Institute and the Center for Child and Family Policy at Duke University.
When it comes to their parents' 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.
According to WebMD, here are tips to control your stress and to ensure your baby is not stressed.
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 you're truly stressed out, turn to someone you trust for support. You can also contact a trained professional such as a psychologist to help you healthily manage your load.
What does an anxious baby look like? “Some might assume crying is the primary way infants would respond to stress, but this isn't necessarily the case,” Keim says. Your baby may be stressed if they:
-Do not make eye contact
-Spread their fingers wide
To help them relax:
-Gently put your hand on their head or feet.
-Place their hands together.
-Encourage them to suck on a pacifier or your thumb or finger.
-Swaddle them in a blanket.
-Hold or rock them gently while you make a “shhh” sound.