Nervousness in Babies - Is it Normal?

It is usual for newborns to cry their hearts out during the initial months. They are very new to the environment, and their body is still getting accustomed to the new world. Babies may feel shy or nervous due to many reasons. Stranger anxiety, separation anxiety, unfamiliar environments can all trigger nervousness in babies. Why is my baby so nervous – this is a common question we get from parents. Let us try and dig deeper.

Is it Normal For Babies to be Nervous?

Yes, this fact may surprise you, but babies do, in fact, feel nervous and this is quite common especially when babies are reaching certain milestones. When babies start identifying familiar people and familiar surroundings, they may also start developing a sense of fear. This is shown when they are put in new surroundings or with new people. You may often notice a baby crying a lot when traveling or when you are out shopping with the baby. This is their nervousness at play.

Babies may also try to pull away, crawl away and basically want to get away from new people and new places, all which indicate that they are nervous and not comfortable with the situation they are in.

At What Age Do Babies Start Getting Nervous?

Babies start getting nervous as they understand concepts such as object permanence, stranger anxiety, and separation anxiety.

Stanger anxiety can develop at around 6 to 8 months of age where the baby will start understanding the difference between familiar people and unfamiliar people. As this phase starts, babies may not want to be in the company of familiar people and will start exhibiting behaviors such as crying, restlessness and trying to get away from them.

Some babies may start experiencing separation anxiety as early as 4 to 6 months while most babies hit this milestone at about 7 to 8 months of age. Separation anxiety, the fear of staying away from parents, caregivers, or familiar family members can also trigger nervousness in babies.

Object permanence, another common milestone in babies that can develop around the age of 8 months can cause babies to feel nervous and cry when they do not find familiar people, objects or places nearby.

[Read : Stranger Anxiety in Babies]

Top Reasons Why Babies Get Nervous

There are several reasons why a baby gets nervous. Let us discuss them in detail.

1. Mother’s Prenatal Stress

Pregnancy, though looked at as a pleasing phase, is sometimes stressful too. But, when a mother is constantly stressed out during the prenatal period, there are high risks that the little one might also be stressed and face severe mental illness later in life. However, the short span stress which comes and goes now and then does not affect the unborn. But mothers should never forget to be happy and positive throughout the pregnancy.

2. Unmet Needs

Just like adults, newborns and infants have several needs that must be met. They long for affection, attention, and nourishment. When they do not get their basic needs, they get stressed out.

3. Frustration

We always find that babies become fussy and cry a lot as they grow up – be it 3 months, 6 months, or even after a year. This is because they get stressed out as things around them keep changing constantly. Crying is the expression of burning out stress.

[Read : Baby Crying]

4. Physical Pain

Babies undergo specific periods of physical pain, for example teething, colic, fevers, and even hiccups. All of these could cause temporary stress for the little one.

5. Fights at Home Between Family Members

No house or relationship indeed exists without an argument. But consistent arguments and loud noises around the babies could put them under much stress.

All the above factors can trigger stress and nervousness in babies and cause them to exhibit signs of nervousness.

Signs of Nervousness in Babies

When we as adults are nervous, we can show it in our attitude and look. But, when babies are stressed out and nervous, it is not evident or explicit. We need to look out for the following signs or symptoms.

1. Baby’s Movements

Babies sometimes keep their hands on their foreheads or stretch out their hands for you. We often see it as cute and cuddly moments, but it can also signify nervousness and stress. These gestures mean that your little one is nervous and unable to calm down. They need your help.

2. Avoiding Eye-contact

We, as adults, do not maintain eye contact when we are least interested in discussing something. The same goes well with babies. When you focus too much on them, they tend to lose attention and avoid eye contact. Too much attention can make them nervous.

3. Crying Out Loud

It is common for babies to cry their hearts out. But you must pay attention if the crying is loud and continuous. If there is continuous crying, check for the possible cause of the nervousness. Light, sound, or crowd could stress them out making them cry out loud. Make sure to calm them and divert them using rattles, baby gyms, etc.

4. Change in Their Eating Habits

A sudden change in food or a shift from breast milk to formula or the introduction of solids at 6th month could affect the gut and bowel movements. It could make them nervous and stress them. Check with your pediatrician to help calm them down. Your doctor may suggest medications if needed

5. Disturbed Sleep

If you find that your little one has a disturbed sleep or finds it difficult to fall asleep, there could be something that is stressing them out and making them nervous. Take steps to give them a calming sleep mode.

[Read : 8 Effective Tips On Making Restless Baby Sleep]

Simple Tips to Calm a Nervous Baby

Here is what you can do to calm your little one when they are always nervous and fussy.

Give them a lot of affection and address their needs. Hug and swaddle your baby with a thin cloth.
Hold them in your arms and place their body on the left side
Rub their back
Play calming music or white noise
Rock them
Do not overfeed the baby
Engage them in various activities and communication. But never force them.
Make yourself available for the little one, especially during bedtime.

When it comes to nervousness or stress, we all imagine it to be adult-related issues. In reality, babies are much more prone to be nervous. As parents, we need to ensure that they are calm and happy. Being happy and stress-free keeps the baby relaxed and aids in better development.

Happy Parenting!

FAQ’s

1. Why Does My Baby Clench His Fists and Shake?

In the first few weeks after birth, you may notice that the babies may clench their fists and shake, most commonly due to the palmar grasp reflex action. This may often look like the baby is nervous. But it is entirely natural and the position the babies are used to when they are in the womb.

2. How Do I Know if My Baby is Nervous?

You may deduce that your baby is feeling nervous if they exhibit behaviors such as frowning, looking away, pushing the arms and legs and squirming.

3. What Are the Three Types of Cries in Babies?

Yes, there are three types of cries in babies. They are hunger cry, colic cry, and sleep cry.

Nervousness in Babies – Is it Normal?

Is it Normal For Babies to be Nervous?

At What Age Do Babies Start Getting Nervous?