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Baby Emotions

A Look at Your Infant's Feelings

By Lisa Marie Metzler

During the 6- to 9-month period, your baby starts to develop characteristics that are uniquely her own. By now, you are familiar with her temperament and you know she exhibits a "tone" that is distinctively her own: Perhaps she gets excited when it is bath time or snuggles into your arms when it's bedtime. She has retained input on who has expressed positive or negative emotions to her. A sudden rise in someone's voice or the tension in mother's touch have all been stored in her memory bank.

At this age, a baby may enjoy being around people by whom she feels loved. A growing attachment has developed to her immediate caregivers, so it is natural for her to feel the beginnings of "separation anxiety." Most babies at this age exhibit anxiety and fear when their parents are out of sight.

Although unnerving for parents, this behavior is normal. It simply means your baby's memory center in her brain is maturing. Games like peek-a-boo and hide and seek will help her to learn that people and objects disappear and return.

Model Behavior
As your baby approaches the final months of her first year, she may be more capable of demonstrating a degree of varied emotions. She may distinguish between people she knows well and those she does not. She may be more mobile now and curious to explore her surroundings on her own. Her new-found independence actually aids her in feeling safe and secure as she moves away from, and returns to, her trusted loved ones. Unpleasant encounters that once caused tears may now elicit frowns or just head turning to signal her disapproval.

She may show signs of frustration or anger. You're likely to witness her first "temper tantrum." Runt remembers her daughter Hayley's first tantrum when the baby was 9 months old. She was trying to place a shaped block into a designated slot of a toy. "She would get very frustrated and let out a scream if she couldn't get the block to fit in right away or she would throw the block or hit the toy," Runt says.

Often, babies will get over-excited or over-stimulated and frustration will result. Walker-Andrew recommends that parents try another activity after an outburst such as this. "Allow your baby to express emotions and soothe your baby to help him learn to modulate negative emotions more quickly," Walker-Andrews suggests.

At this stage, a small cuddly stuffed animal or a soft blanket would help your baby feel safe and secure as she grows and explores her ever-changing world.

Want to see more?

• The Mind of the Baby
• Songs to Soothe Baby
• Good Reasons to Read to your Baby
• Talk about it!