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Home › Articles › Behavior › Baby's First Emotions

Baby's First Emotions

Learning to Identify and Nurture Little Feelings

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Babies also need to learn adaptability. "Expose them to all kinds of different noises – run the vacuum in their room, let them hear the sirens," Folds says. "If you walk around saying 'shh, the baby is sleeping' all the time, they don't learn to adapt to their environment and then they're frightened when they do hear those noises.

"How they adapt to their environment and how they perceive the environment through their parent's cues – such as if the parent is shy or outgoing – will show their personality," she says.

Transitional steps may be necessary to help your baby move from one stage to the next without becoming afraid or distrustful, she says. For example, if you've decided it's time to stop co-sleeping, make the change slowly. Start by putting your baby in the crib, but leaving the crib next to your bed. After all, building trust is one of the most important aspects of emotional development, Folds says.

"Trust versus mistrust dominates the child's first couple of years," she says. "They're learning to trust their own abilities, their parents and the environment around them. What happens during that time can have a big impact later."

To make your baby feel secure, respond to his needs, talk to him about what you're doing as you're doing it and set routines and stick to them. That doesn't mean you have to jump at his every whimper, says Dr. Unger.

"It's important for 2- to 4-month-olds to learn to put themselves back to sleep," she says. "You can let them cry a little bit and not worry about scarring them as long as you check on them and make sure they're not hungry or wet or sick. But if they just had a nap and you stick them in the playpen and let them cry because you want to watch TV, it can be damaging."


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