Babies Experience Stress: Is It Possible?
Babies experience stress. Strange as it may seem, little ones have many reasons to be stressed. For example, all the factors of the environment around them are new to them. Even if they appear to be living in a glass bubble, it’s possible that the new context is causing them stress. We remember that everything in their life changed from one moment to the next.
Although there are stressful situations that can affect the life of a newborn, in the majority of cases parents do everything possible to avoid any cause of stress. That is why they prepare a special environment for him, avoid noises and whatever else they consider a source of disturbance for the newborn.
However, the causes of stress in infants can be very simple. The little ones are going through a period of adaptation, where everything is different and inexplicable. Convinced that newborns experience stress , specialists have devoted themselves to studying what the consequences could be.
Most of the research findings have highlighted the theory that many of the problems that babies can experience can become part of them forever. Among the main consequences is the difficulty in memorizing. This triggers future learning problems.
Signs that babies are experiencing stress
The level of stress that a newborn may feel cannot be clearly quantified. However, his suffering can be highlighted by means of certain signals. In general terms, the primary means babies use to communicate is crying. So this is also the best way to tell if babies are experiencing stress.
Just as adults struggle to identify when under stress, it is even more difficult for newborns. For this reason, the suffering we notice in them could be caused by various reasons, such as stress.
A baby who cries without his parents identifying the cause may be stressed. Of course we need to be sure that there is no reason why the baby is crying. For example, if he is not hungry, the diaper is dry, he is not sick or he does not suffer from constipation.
However, even if their physical needs are met, the baby may still be restless. Sometimes what the baby wants is simply love. In some cases, parents may have to be separated from their children for an extended period of time for certain reasons. This could generate a feeling of insecurity or distrust in the little ones. This could be another reason babies experience stress.
Recurring crying is a sign of stress
Other symptoms may indicate that infants are experiencing stress; recurrent and tormented crying is a sign that the baby is stressed. The causes can be various:
- Pain caused by prolonged colic or otitis.
- Isolation or lack of social relationships.
- Altered environment due to noises, family discussions, or an accelerated pace.
- Lack of attention; especially when the parents are physically present, but busy with the telephone, computer or television.
- Stressed parents, a tense atmosphere and low moods could negatively affect the baby without her realizing it. Generally, in fact, if the people around us are stressed, we may feel stressed too.
- Abrupt changes in temperature. Heat and cold can be great sources of stress for babies.
- Sleep, hunger, or discomfort can be stressful if the baby is in these circumstances for a long time.
- Excessive stimulation is sometimes the main cause. We need to keep the baby stimulated and connected with his surroundings. However, it is not recommended that we exaggerate with the stimuli that we do not leave him some time to relax.
We prevent our baby from experiencing stress
It is difficult to measure the level of stress. However, most of the reasons babies experience stress are recognizable to adults. Meeting their needs, making sure they sleep well and live in a peaceful environment, is something we can do effectively and without much effort.
Creating habits and preventing our problems from affecting him is a responsibility that we cannot neglect. In addition, it is appropriate that we dedicate quality time to the little ones. While it may seem that they are not aware of anything, in reality they are aware of many things in their environment.
It is very important that the family bond is strong. From the earliest days we stimulate their socio-emotional development, so that the baby feels safe, loved and peaceful. We do everything we can to prevent babies from experiencing stress at this stage of their life. They will face enough stressful situations in the future.
