Do Babies Have Psychological Issues? How to Recognize the Psychological Activities of Infants?

Do Babies Have Psychological Issues? How to Recognize the Psychological Activities of Infants?

Babies have a need for comforting, which is imprinted in our human brains from the very beginning of life. Mothers are the most suitable individuals to meet this need, as they become angels who unconditionally nurture, nourish, and soothe the baby. Comforting forms an attachment between the child and the mother, making the mother the recipient of the child's coquetry. Coquetry is the baby's way of psychological regulation, serving as a healing balm for emotional distress.

After birth, the first person with whom an infant establishes an intimate relationship is the mother who gave birth to them. The early psychological well-being of the baby is closely tied to the mother-child relationship. A healthy mother-child bond provides the baby with a sense of security, forming the foundation for building trust with others in the future.

Even at 3 months old, babies already exhibit jealousy. Experimental results demonstrate that when a mother directs her attention to others, such as engaging in conversations or other forms of interaction, babies often kick their legs and express discontent. Researchers observed that when babies' mothers drank water, stared at the babies, or talked to them without responding, the babies did not display obvious distress. However, during the experiment, when the babies' mothers engaged in conversations with researchers and laughed occasionally, the babies showed signs of anger, flipping their bodies on the seats while emitting rapid and angry sounds from their mouths.

It is essential not to assume that babies don't understand anything. If we observe carefully, we will notice that babies possess certain thinking and emotional communication abilities. For example, while nursing, a baby's bright eyes may gaze at the mother's face, and they may gently touch the mother's breast with their hands. When a baby sees the mother approaching, they may smile, and when the mother leaves, they may follow her with their eyes. When left alone and ignored, babies may become anxious or cry. At around 4 to 5 months, they start to exhibit shyness and may cry when confronted with strangers. Studies indicate that positive emotional responses in babies promote healthy development, while negative emotions of tension or confusion can affect their appetite and sleep. During infancy, the lack of maternal love and insufficient psychological satisfaction may lead babies to seek self-soothing or vent their inner dissatisfaction through thumb-sucking, playing with toys, and other means. Parents should be aware of these factors and attach great importance to establishing a good parent-child relationship to ensure the baby's psychological well-being.

Nowadays, people generally value mental health. However, most are unaware that babies held in their mother's arms may also experience psychological issues, and even depression. Psychological well-being plays a crucial role in the physical and mental development of infants and their future health. A survey report released by the US Federal Health Agency showed that one in every 150 American children is affected by hyperactivity or depression. These babies lacked eye contact with their parents during infancy, smiled less at four months old, and showed indifference when others called their names at the age of one. By the age of 2 to 3, a relevant test can determine whether they have depression.

How to establish a good mother-child relationship is not a simple question. Some may think that it is just about ensuring that the baby is well-fed, well-rested, and healthy. However, it is more than that. We should understand that a mother's smile while feeding, changing diapers, and soothing the baby to sleep, along with affectionate words and gentle touches, can bring immense comfort to the baby and deepen the emotional bond between mother and child.