What Does a Newborn Need Emotionally?

Newborns don't do much beyond eating and sleeping, but that doesn't mean that their development isn't moving along at a rapid pace. Emotional development begins right at birth and there are several ways to boost it as your little one grows. This type of development is sometimes referred to as social/emotional development. While you might not notice right away, you'll begin to see changes in how he perceives and expresses emotions in social settings.

  1. Meet Your Newborn's Needs

    • When you attend to your newborn in a timely and affectionate way, she learns to trust you and gains a sense of security in her world, according to professor of psychology, Pamela Cole, Ph.D., in Parents magazine. This forms a bond between you and your newborn right from the start because she knows she can rely on you when she needs you. When your little one cries, pick her up and soothe her. Feed her when she's hungry and change her dirty diapers as soon as possible. These simple steps help get her emotional development off to a healthy start.

    Talk to Your Newborn

    • He might not understand everything you're saying, but he does understand the closeness he feels when you're nearby and speaking. Use a quiet, calm voice, suggests the First Steps website. Describe your daily activities, talk about what you see when you're out and about and respond to your newborn's cries with soothing words and phrases. Have a conversation with your little one. If she gurgles or coos at you, talk back. Mimic the sounds she makes too, which helps her start to grasp emotional cues that arise during interactions with other people, according to Cole.

    Put Words to Emotions

    • Your newborn won't grasp your every word, but getting started right away by putting words to what he's feeling helps him recognize emotions in himself and others as he gets older. When your baby cries, mention that he is upset or angry. When he smiles, talk about what's making him happy. If he startles, name what did the startling, whether it was a siren outside the window or the family dog barking at the mailman walking by. Even newborns as young as 10 weeks can recognize and respond to a range of emotions, notes the Raising Children Network website.

    Facial Expressions

    • Learning to read your facial expressions is a first step toward fostering her emotional development. During playtime with your newborn, smile back at her when she smiles at you, or make an empathetic face when she cries. This helps her recognize her feelings in your facial expressions. At the same time, recognize her emotional cues. Watch for signs that she's had enough, including turning her head away and fussing, notes Cole. Respond by stopping your current activity and giving your baby a break.

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