Responding to distressed babies
Did you know?
Babies who are not cuddled and cared for, may feel rejected and be unable to form secure attachments with their caregivers.
When a baby is crying, it can be upsetting to hear or might make you feel worried or irritated. Remember that babies don't cry to irritate you or because they are being 'naughty' - they always cry for a reason.
As a caregiver, you need to respond quickly to a crying baby in a calm and relaxed manner. You should provide physical comfort by holding or cuddling the baby while you work out what their needs are.
When babies wake up
When babies wake up, it's important to respond to them in an unrushed and sensitive way. They need to wake up at their own pace.
It is important to leave babies sleeping until they naturally wake up. If a baby in your care wakes and starts to cry, you need to attend to his/her needs.
This could mean picking the baby up if they need a feed or nappy change, or patting the baby back to sleep. In each case this reassures the baby that you are there for them.
When you wake up, do you spring out of bed, full of beans? Or do you wake up slowly, calmly and at a slow pace?
Imagine if you were sleeping and began to stir, when someone came and picked you up and carried you around. How would you feel? You would probably find that you were wanting to look around the room and see what was happening, rather than feeling sleepy and wanting to go back to sleep.
Why your response is important
It is important to respond quickly, yet in a relaxed manner, to distressed babies. When a child is crying loudly and demanding that you help them right now, it is easy to realise they need your attention. It is also important to remember that all babies need care and attention - not just when they're crying.
A child's first few years are vitally important to their development, both mentally and physically. Babies need lots of love, care and cuddles. These are important in letting the child know that they are cared for, loved and valued.
Babies who are not cuddled and cared for, may feel rejected and be unable to form secure attachments with their caregivers. They may also fail to develop positive self-esteem and have difficulties forming attachments with others in later life.
Babies have to form a concept of self, and this is dependent upon being cared for in a way that communicates to the baby that he/she is valuable, worthwhile and loveable. This is a vital foundation for establishing emotional and psychological wellbeing both immediately and in later life. We need to love our babies!
Imagine if none of your friends or family members ever phoned or contacted you. How would you feel? Probably neglected, lonely and upset! Babies are just the same. They need company and love too.
Comforting Tyler
Tina hears that Tyler has woken-up. Tyler is screaming loudly waving his fists around with his face screwed up and going red.
To comfort Tyler, Tina picks him up and cuddles him. She rubs his back gently speaking softly and reassuringly to him. See how she is holding him? It can help to comfort a baby if you hold them this way. Tyler's crying is now beginning to change from loud screaming to steady crying, as Tina comforts him.
As you get to know a baby, you will learn to identify their cries and what they are trying to communicate with you. The important thing to remember with babies and toddlers is that they don't cry only at times when it is convenient for you to help them. Each baby and toddler is a unique individual and because of this you need to be flexible and ready to respond to his/her individual cues whenever required.
Babies and toddlers depend on adults to ensure that their needs are met, as they are not yet able to care for themselves. This means you need to take time to get to know each child, so you can respond and care for them in a nurturing way.
In your notebook write a summary of what we need to consider when responding to babies.
