As a parent, bringing your baby home for the first time can have you filled with a variety of emotions. You may feel a mix of jubilance and anxiety over this amazing tiny human entrusted into your care. With everything that comes with having a new baby in the home, navigating your baby’s feelings and needs can seem daunting. The notion of infant emotions is a complicated one. Learn how to know what your baby is trying to tell you and what your baby’s emotions might mean.
Emotional and social development in infants
Baby's emotional development milestones by month
Infant emotions and milestones by month
Babies up to 3 months old likely won’t care who is holding, carrying or rocking them. It’s not until your child is around 5 months old that they begin to exhibit anxiety around strangers. They may cry when a visiting relative they’ve never met before. tries to hold them. They may also reach for mom or dad when around new people.
Your newborn will begin smiling at around 3 months old. A 4-month-old will also be able to recognize the varying emotions of others around them. They’ll soon mimic the expressions and emotions of others at 6 months.
There’s often a period of intense rollercoaster emotions for babies up to a year old. They may seem happy one minute and frustrated or upset the next. It is also at this time where your baby may begin to recognize their feelings. They’ll start to connect the dots to realize that what is going on in their environment can often trigger feelings.
Understanding your toddlers’ emotions
As your child approaches 24 months, they’ve begun to make progress in terms of handling their emotions and can recognize when they’ve hurt someone’s feelings. While your toddler can empathize, at this stage they’re unable to fully control their emotions.
Parents can support social and emotional development in infants and toddlers by helping them to recognize and regulate their emotions. Your infant will give cues to their emotions by shifting their gaze or arching their back when unhappy. Understanding the signals your baby gives you takes time at first but it can help parents anticipate potential stress triggers. Often finding a soothing activity like breastfeeding or a quiet activity can help soothe an infant. Older babies may enjoy a calm hands-on activity in a quiet spot to help assuage a potential meltdown.
