![]() ![]() Our babies/ children’s brains have mirror neurons that mirror the messages our brains are emitting. Parent and baby’s brains literally resonate and harmonize together. The emotional response is still important, as well as the physical actions. This continues to be true for children of all ages and is also an important factor when children are sick or physically injure themselves. ![]() For these reasons, (assuming urgent physical needs or illness are not the issue) calming ourselves is the most important task for parents holding an upset baby. They can feel whether we’re present to them or distracted with our worries. Yet being calm and truly present when our child is upset isn’t easy.Your baby registers your eye contact and the quality of your connection to them. Babies who get to clear any buildup of frustration when calmly listened to and empathized with when upset, tend to be generally much more settled, find it easier to get to sleep and tend to sleep for longer stretches at night. But luckily they are born with the innate ability to release stress (and even trauma) through in-arms crying. For many reasons, babies do become frustrated, they are very vulnerable to stress and are very sensitive to all the input from the world around them. Our calm presence has a soothing effect and anchors them.Ĭrying is generally seen to be a problem, yet sometimes the babies (in-arms) cries are the solution to the problem. The more present and emotionally available we are, the easier it is for our baby to make their way back to feeling the security of that warm and loving connection. Yet, when other needs have been ruled out, often giving him your full calming and reassuring presence without distracting him from his feelings is such a precious gift and can offer your baby just what he most needs to make his way back to a calm, balanced and settled state. We desperately want our child to feel at peace in their little body and yes, just holding your baby when he’s upset can feel so ineffective. A baby’s cry sounds so urgent, because it is, they’re dependent on us to help them feel calm and settled again. Genevieve answers: Just about every parent finds it incredibly difficult to listen to their baby when they cry. Yet, it’s difficult JUST to hold the baby when they’re overstimulated and so upset (at bedtime and tired) rather than try to help by singing or rocking. I recognize that I’m the one who has difficulty with her crying and he needs me to be calm and confident and truly support her at these times. “I’ve been trying to practice Aware Parenting, tuning in to when my child needs to have a stress releasing cry and have been working hard to not distract her out of her cry. ![]()
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