What to expect can you spoil a newborn

Medical Review Policy All What to Expect content that addresses health or safety is medically reviewed by a team of vetted health professionals. Find out why it's impossible to spoil a newborn with your love and attention. Continue Reading Below. Read This Next. Understanding Newborn Breathing.

Am I Breastfeeding Too Frequently? View Sources. First Year. By Happiest Baby Staff. When should you start worrying about spoiling your baby? Final Thoughts: Can you Spoil a Baby? Your Cart is Empty. Add for free shipping! These infants seek their parents when distressed and know they will be comforted. To read more about the different types of attachment including the different variations on insecure attachment, click here.

Taking the immense amount of research on attachment theory into account, spoiling a baby is possible — just not in the way the old wives tale would have us believe.

An infant or young child who comes to expect their parent for security — one that has been held, hugged, and soothed often — actually becomes more independent. These young children start to view their caregivers as a secure base.

Because they know their parents will be there when they need them, these kids feel empowered to venture out into their environment and, eventually, the world. Conversely, a parent who backs away from their child when their child needs them creates insecurity and uncertainty.

These young children are reportedly less independent and competent. And so, spoiling your baby is possible. And, it does become possible based on the frequency we respond to their cries and the amount we hold them. Not holding and responding to our children is proven to do more harm than help.

Responding, holding and consoling our babies is, in fact, the best way to parent during this tender age. I agree. I was told so many times I was spoiling my kids or to let them cry. It went against everything in me. My husband and I practiced the CIO method at home with bedtime, but only to an extent.

And we would never want someone else to do it with our kids. Those poor little ones! My son was a terrible sleeper and I had controlled CIO recommended to help him learn to fall asleep and stay asleep. Oh how I love this post. Let me count the ways.. You are right on with this advice! Babies are meant to be loved and cuddled and close to you! Sing it sister! I wish I had read this earlier too!

I think that if a child cries for as long as an hour that may point to another problem. Leaving your child to cry with relative strangers is different than letting them cry it out at home where they feel safe. I feel so sad for those boys! They need us as parents to be there for them always. For younger babies, the main way they communicate with you is through crying and cooing.

When your baby cries or coos, he or she is trying to tell you something important:. Your baby develops the cognitive ability to connect his to her actions to your responses. Responding to cries and coos develops a sense of trust in your baby. The foundation of trust helps give your baby self-confidence to try new things.

Your baby will be confident enough to leave your side and engage his or her curiosity. Your child will go explore his or her surroundings knowing you will communicate your connection back to him or her.