Calming Chemicals

Do you really need another reason to teach your baby how to self calm... besides the obvious benefit of a baby who doesn't always need your help to calm down? Well in case you do, here's what the research says according to Dr. Lawrence Shapiro in The Secret Language of Children.

When a baby learns to control his emotions within the first years of life, his brain chemicals actually change. The amygdala, the emotional center of the brain, in a baby who has learned to calm himself is better able to control the chemicals associated with anger and stress.

Studies have shown that shy babies often become shy children and then shy adults. Self calming skills can help a baby reduce his fear response around others, however, and can short-circuit the shyness if caught early enough. You can give your shy baby the gift of ease around other people.

So how do you teach self calming? There are many techniques ("Ferberizing", "Cry it Out" etc.) but here's the response Shapiro recommends to infant crying:

(1) Observe baby's crys and make sure everything is OK and baby is not in any harm.

(2) Wait a minute then say a few comforting words softly to baby.

(3) Step into view.

(4) Check his diaper or give him a pat on the back or tummy.

(5) Pick Baby up and hold him for a few minutes before putting him back down.

Shapiro recommends only going as far as needed to help Baby calm down. The more he can do for himself, the better self-soothing skills he will have gained.

RESOURCES

The Secret Language of Children