Why Comforting Your Baby Is So Important
- When you respond quickly to comfort your baby she learns to depend on you
- Will help him learn to trust that you will take care of him
- Gives her the gift of confidence
- Helps him to develop the ability to calm himself
- Helps prevent your baby from becoming more demanding, clingy and
whiney
- Will help your child to develop relationships with others throughout
her life
- Will help your child to sense hurt in others and respond in kind,
helpful ways
When Is It Most Important To Comfort Your Baby?
- Sick
- Hurt
- Upset, Sad, Frightened, Lonely
How Can Parents Comfort Babies?
It is important to respond quickly to your babies cries.
Do...
- Hold your baby close
- Talk quietly and calmly, or sing gently
- Cuddle, kiss and rock your baby
- Focus on your baby - look at her eyes and face
- Be loving, patient and calm
- Play with your child
Don't...
- Make light of her feelings or tease her
- Reject him or his feelings
- Be impatient or angry with her
- Focus on your own needs
Remember...
- Nobody is perfect. What matters is to try to comfort your baby most of the
time.
- Don't worry about "spoiling" your baby. Babies
aren't "spoiled" if someone responds to their cues and signals.
Comforting babies is the best way to love them.
- Comfort in the early months will help them play, learn and get
along with other people as they get older.
Resources:
A
Simple Gift: Comforting Your Baby (1998)
Infant Mental Health Promotion Project, The Hospital for Sick Children. Toronto,
ON
Copyright, 1998.
