Stress in infants

Even very young children can be affected by stress—not only in situations that are expected to be highly stressful, but also in everyday life. The most common causes of stress in infants are related to unmet needs, overstimulation from the environment, certain health conditions and discomforts, and the emotional state of the mother or primary caregiver.

Failure to recognize stress in an infant and to respond in a way that helps the baby can lead to compromised health, a reduced sense of security, and some researchers point out that continuous exposure to high levels of stress can negatively affect brain development and the immune system.

That is why it is important to understand the sources of stress in infants, how they express stress, and how to help.

 

Sources of stress in infants

 

Although many circumstances and conditions can cause stress in an infant, it is important to understand that short-term exposure to stress and stressful situations is not as harmful to the child as continuous or repeated exposure.

 

1.   Prenatal stress

If a pregnant mother is continuously under high stress for an extended period of time, it can affect the child she is carrying as well as the pregnancy itself, leading to problems such as premature birth, low birth weight, and a range of health issues in the newborn.
On the other hand, short-term, occasional exposure to stressful situations has no effect on the fetus.

 

2.   Unmet needs of the infant

The basic needs of a newborn or infant—for food, care, protection, and attachment—are met by the mother and other caregivers. If these basic needs go unmet, it can result in the development of toxic stress, which can have a long-lasting negative impact on the child.

In high-stress situations such as war, life-saving emergencies, or fleeing from conflict, it is very easy to lose sight of some of the infant’s needs. That is why it is extremely important to take care of yourself and protect your own emotional and mental health as soon as possible, so you can focus on your child and have the emotional capacity to recognize the child’s needs. For some mothers, focusing on the child and the child’s needs—once they are physically removed from immediate danger—actually helps lower their own stress levels.

 

3.   Frustration as part of the growth and development process

Numerous developmental processes that take place intensively during the first year of life cause stress in infants. For an infant, the environment is constantly changing; they become increasingly aware of their surroundings and the stimuli they are exposed to, and all these sensations can be overwhelming for the child.

During growth and maturation, some of the changes may cause discomfort and pain, which are also sources of stress in infancy.

 

4.   Intense emotional expression by adults, shouting and arguments

Continuous raised voices, especially in the form of arguments, quarrelling, and shouting, are harmful to an infant and cause high levels of stress.
In such environments, the issue is not only the overwhelming stimulation from the surroundings, but also the mechanism through which the infant’s emotional state aligns with that of the mother (or another primary caregiver).

Even at the earliest age, an infant tries to make sense of everything they hear and see around them. They initially experience most of their environment by following and observing the reactions of their parents—primarily the one who provides the most care (usually the mother).

When parents experience highly stressful situations, the infant absorbs those emotions and experiences some of the stress as well. They see the mother's facial expressions, hear the tone of her voice—sadness, anger, despair, happiness—and respond by adjusting to her emotional state.
That is why it is extremely important to be aware of your mental state and to find healthy ways to cope with stress. It is also important to avoid discussing topics that cause you significant distress and anxiety in front of your child, in order to minimise the impact of your stress on them.

All parents experience different stressful situations from time to time. It is important to remember that constantly present stress and fear can negatively affect your child.
Bonding with your child and taking care of yourself during highly stressful periods is important for both you and your baby.

Read on to learn how to recognise the signs of stress in infants and how to help.