Effects of Parental Stress on Infants

Babies are sensitive social barometers. "When parents stress, the kids are going to be stressed," says Dr. Andrew Garner, assistant clinical professor of pediatrics at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine in an article for WebMD. From a very young age, children learn by example, so a baby who witnesses his parents handling stress in an unhealthy, destructive way is likely to mirror their behavior as he grows up.

  1. Different Types of Stress Reponses

    • Harvard University's Center on the Developing Child distinguishes between three types of stress responses: positive, tolerable and toxic. Positive stress responses are a normal, vital part of healthy development. An infant might experience a positive stress response when separated from her mother for a short time or getting an immunization. A tolerable stress response is likely to result from a more serious event, such as a sudden injury or frightening situation, but long-term consequences can be avoided if the parent provides the infant with comfort and support. The center describes toxic stress as exposure to adverse experiences over a long period, and warns that this can affect the development of an infant's brain.

    Brain Function

    • An infant's early experiences are crucial in terms of building a strong, healthy foundation for the brain. Stress releases the hormone cortisol in the brain, high levels of which can harm brain cells. Toxic stress can actually change the way a baby's brain develops, according to a Centers for Disease Control report, leading to the development of a smaller brain and damaging the parts of the brain responsible for learning and memory.

    Fear

    • Too much stress and emotional upheaval can make an infant feel scared, says David Code in his book "Kids Pick up on Everything." An infant who experiences prolonged periods of fear during her first year is likely to become overly reactive to stressful situations throughout the rest of her life, says Code. Parents who react badly to stress, for example by shouting, withdrawing from others and making unhealthy lifestyle choices, are setting a bad example to their young child.

    Isolation

    • Parents who are constantly under a high level of extreme stress are going to be less attentive to their baby's needs, says Garner in the WebMD article. This can lead to an infant feeling isolated. If this happens continually throughout his first year, a baby's physical and mental health can be adversely affected for his entire life, according to the Center on the Developing Child. If a baby gets love, affection and attention from his parents or caregivers, it may be possible to minimize the damaging effects of toxic stress.

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