When you're rushing through a busy day, it's easy to move on autopilot without realizing how much your little one is picking up on your energy. Even before they can talk, babies are like little emotional sponges. They are incredibly good at reading the room by watching your every move.
\nWhile it’s impossible to be stress-free all the time, understanding how your baby senses your feelings can help you build a stronger, calmer bond. Let’s look at how your baby reads your cues and what you can do to help you both find your calm.
"}},"contents":{"json":{"data":{},"content":[{"data":{"target":{"metadata":{"tags":[],"concepts":[]},"sys":{"space":{"sys":{"type":"Link","linkType":"Space","id":"xf6mqlbz6glx","contentful_id":"xf6mqlbz6glx"}},"id":"c7ktj7iSoMoIVaMclyQpQi4","type":"Asset","createdAt":"2026-05-28T23:19:48.696Z","updatedAt":"2026-05-28T23:19:48.696Z","environment":{"sys":{"id":"master","type":"Link","linkType":"Environment","contentful_id":"master"}},"publishedVersion":4,"revision":1,"contentful_id":"7ktj7iSoMoIVaMclyQpQi4"},"fields":{"title":"Young mom holding baby toddler, hugging carrying adorable little daughter stock photo","description":"1791882021","file":{"url":"//images.ctfassets.net/xf6mqlbz6glx/7ktj7iSoMoIVaMclyQpQi4/2b159bfac8bbaef9fe0ecdbce03004ff/iStock-1791882021.jpg","details":{"size":17888149,"image":{"width":6720,"height":4480}},"fileName":"iStock-1791882021.jpg","contentType":"image/jpeg"}}}},"content":[],"nodeType":"embedded-asset-block"},{"data":{},"content":[{"data":{},"marks":[],"value":"Reading the Room: Your Baby’s Secret Skill","nodeType":"text"}],"nodeType":"heading-2"},{"data":{},"content":[{"data":{},"marks":[],"value":"Babies are world-class observers. Long before they understand words, they are studying your facial expressions and the tone of your voice to figure out if they are safe.","nodeType":"text"}],"nodeType":"paragraph"},{"data":{},"content":[{"data":{},"marks":[],"value":"This is called ","nodeType":"text"},{"data":{},"marks":[{"type":"bold"}],"value":"social referencing.","nodeType":"text"},{"data":{},"marks":[],"value":" Between 9 and 15 months, babies will look directly at your face before they try something new. For example, if you look happy and encouraged, they will feel brave enough to crawl toward a new toy. If you look scared or worried, they will likely stop and stay close to you. They use your emotions as a map to navigate their world.","nodeType":"text"}],"nodeType":"paragraph"},{"data":{},"content":[{"data":{},"marks":[],"value":"By being aware of your nonverbal cues, you can intentionally show your baby that they are safe, even when the world feels a bit big.","nodeType":"text"}],"nodeType":"paragraph"},{"data":{},"content":[{"data":{},"marks":[],"value":"Stress: The Good, the Bad, and the Heavy","nodeType":"text"}],"nodeType":"heading-2"},{"data":{},"content":[{"data":{},"marks":[],"value":"Stress is a normal part of being human, and not all stress is bad for your baby. However, there is a big difference between a busy day and an environment that feels constantly overwhelming.","nodeType":"text"}],"nodeType":"paragraph"},{"data":{},"content":[{"data":{},"content":[{"data":{},"content":[{"data":{},"marks":[{"type":"bold"}],"value":"Regular Stress:","nodeType":"text"},{"data":{},"marks":[],"value":" This is short-term stress, like from meeting a new person or getting a vaccine shot. With a loving parent nearby to offer a hug, regular stress helps a baby’s brain learn how to manage challenges.","nodeType":"text"}],"nodeType":"paragraph"}],"nodeType":"list-item"},{"data":{},"content":[{"data":{},"content":[{"data":{},"marks":[],"value":"","nodeType":"text"},{"data":{"uri":"https://first5california.strongerstarts.com/"},"content":[{"data":{},"marks":[{"type":"bold"}],"value":"Toxic Stress","nodeType":"text"}],"nodeType":"hyperlink"},{"data":{},"marks":[{"type":"bold"}],"value":":","nodeType":"text"},{"data":{},"marks":[],"value":" Toxic stress happens when a child faces serious, long-lasting hardship, like physical abuse or neglect, without a supportive adult to help them. Without the buffer of a caring parent, toxic stress can make it hard for a child’s brain to grow in a healthy way.","nodeType":"text"}],"nodeType":"paragraph"}],"nodeType":"list-item"}],"nodeType":"unordered-list"},{"data":{},"content":[{"data":{},"marks":[],"value":"You don’t need to be a perfectly calm parent every second. Some of life’s challenges don’t have quick fixes and can’t be overcome in a single day. You may face difficult times, like housing instability, health issues, or financial stress, that last for months or even years.","nodeType":"text"}],"nodeType":"paragraph"},{"data":{},"content":[{"data":{},"marks":[],"value":"During these long-lasting challenges, showing up as a steady and loving force is one of the most powerful things you can do. Your consistent love provides the foundation your child needs. It acts like a buffer that protects their growing brain. Even when the world feels shaky, your hug and your calm voice can help them build the strength to stay calm and bounce back from any obstacles life may put them through.","nodeType":"text"}],"nodeType":"paragraph"},{"data":{},"content":[{"data":{},"marks":[],"value":"The Power of Repair","nodeType":"text"}],"nodeType":"heading-2"},{"data":{},"content":[{"data":{},"marks":[],"value":"We all have moments where we can feel overwhelmed or like we are going to snap.\nWhat matters most is what you do after the stress. This is called “Repair.” When you calm yourself down and then go back to comfort your baby, you are teaching them a vital lesson: Sometimes things get stressful, but we can always come back together and feel safe again. This can help build a stronger bond than trying to be perfect all the time.","nodeType":"text"}],"nodeType":"paragraph"},{"data":{},"content":[{"data":{},"marks":[],"value":"Every time you “repair” a stressful moment with a hug or a soft word, you are teaching your baby how to manage their own big feelings in the future.","nodeType":"text"}],"nodeType":"paragraph"},{"data":{},"content":[{"data":{},"marks":[],"value":"Resetting the Calm: Your Daily Ritual","nodeType":"text"}],"nodeType":"heading-2"},{"data":{},"content":[{"data":{},"marks":[],"value":"When you feel your stress levels rising, you don’t need to tough it out. You can use physical connection to reset both your nervous system and your baby’s.","nodeType":"text"}],"nodeType":"paragraph"},{"data":{},"content":[{"data":{},"marks":[],"value":"Creating a calm-down ritual can be a powerful tool. Affectionate touch, like a gentle stroke or a hug, can change how a baby’s brain develops. It sends signals to the brain that it’s okay to relax.","nodeType":"text"}],"nodeType":"paragraph"},{"data":{},"content":[{"data":{},"marks":[{"type":"bold"}],"value":"Try these simple rituals to reset your mood together:","nodeType":"text"}],"nodeType":"paragraph"},{"data":{},"content":[{"data":{},"content":[{"data":{},"content":[{"data":{},"marks":[{"type":"bold"}],"value":"Skin-to-Skin Contact:","nodeType":"text"},{"data":{},"marks":[],"value":" Hold your baby against your bare chest. This can help regulate your baby’s heart rate and lowers stress for both of you.","nodeType":"text"}],"nodeType":"paragraph"}],"nodeType":"list-item"},{"data":{},"content":[{"data":{},"content":[{"data":{},"marks":[],"value":"","nodeType":"text"},{"data":{"uri":"https://first5california.strongerstarts.com/address-toxic-stress/dragon-breathing"},"content":[{"data":{},"marks":[{"type":"bold"}],"value":"Deep Breathing Together","nodeType":"text"}],"nodeType":"hyperlink"},{"data":{},"marks":[{"type":"bold"}],"value":":","nodeType":"text"},{"data":{},"marks":[],"value":" While holding your baby, take three slow, deep breaths. Your baby will feel your chest rise and fall and hear your heart rate slow down.","nodeType":"text"}],"nodeType":"paragraph"}],"nodeType":"list-item"},{"data":{},"content":[{"data":{},"content":[{"data":{},"marks":[{"type":"bold"}],"value":"Rhythmic Movement:","nodeType":"text"},{"data":{},"marks":[],"value":" Gently rock, sway, or bounce in a steady rhythm. This mimics the feeling of being in the womb and is one of the fastest ways to soothe a baby’s stress response.","nodeType":"text"}],"nodeType":"paragraph"}],"nodeType":"list-item"}],"nodeType":"unordered-list"},{"data":{},"content":[{"data":{},"marks":[],"value":"Taking just five minutes for a quiet, physical reset can turn a high-stress moment into a beautiful chance to connect.","nodeType":"text"}],"nodeType":"paragraph"},{"data":{},"content":[{"data":{},"marks":[],"value":"You’ve Got This","nodeType":"text"}],"nodeType":"heading-2"},{"data":{},"content":[{"data":{},"marks":[],"value":"Being a parent is a big job, and it’s okay to feel overwhelmed. Remember, your baby doesn’t need a perfect parent. They just need you. By practicing these small, calm moments, you are teaching your child how to manage their own feelings for the rest of their life.","nodeType":"text"}],"nodeType":"paragraph"}],"nodeType":"document"}},"author":{"name":"First 5 California","image":{"file":{"url":"//images.ctfassets.net/xf6mqlbz6glx/4pO9QBIn13KrsiJXdYwN16/a89042a9f8c029e5e5694d4fbdd0877f/first-5-california-logo.png"}}},"sources":{"json":{"nodeType":"document","data":{},"content":[{"nodeType":"paragraph","data":{},"content":[{"nodeType":"text","value":"","marks":[],"data":{}},{"nodeType":"hyperlink","data":{"uri":"https://developingchild.harvard.edu/key-concept/toxic-stress/"},"content":[{"nodeType":"text","value":"The President and Fellows of Harvard College","marks":[],"data":{}}]},{"nodeType":"text","value":"","marks":[],"data":{}}]},{"nodeType":"paragraph","data":{},"content":[{"nodeType":"text","value":"","marks":[],"data":{}},{"nodeType":"hyperlink","data":{"uri":"https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/neuroscience/articles/10.3389/fnins.2020.613378/full"},"content":[{"nodeType":"text","value":"Frontiers Media SA","marks":[],"data":{}}]},{"nodeType":"text","value":"","marks":[],"data":{}}]},{"nodeType":"paragraph","data":{},"content":[{"nodeType":"text","value":"","marks":[],"data":{}},{"nodeType":"hyperlink","data":{"uri":"https://cps.ca/en/documents/position/skin-to-skin-care"},"content":[{"nodeType":"text","value":"Canadian Paediatric Society","marks":[],"data":{}}]},{"nodeType":"text","value":"","marks":[],"data":{}}]},{"nodeType":"paragraph","data":{},"content":[{"nodeType":"text","value":"","marks":[],"data":{}},{"nodeType":"hyperlink","data":{"uri":"https://www.parentingcounts.org/begins-to-look-to-others-emotions-before-acting-termed-social-referencing-9-15-months/"},"content":[{"nodeType":"text","value":"Parenting Counts","marks":[],"data":{}}]},{"nodeType":"text","value":"","marks":[],"data":{}}]}]}},"bookImage":null,"bookDescription":null,"bookDownload":null,"bookLink":null,"youtubeVideoId":null,"showFeaturedVideo":null,"showFeaturedActivities":null},"sidebarContent":{"pageFeaturedDownloadLabel":null,"pageFeaturedDownloadTitle":null,"pageFeaturedDownloadImage":null,"pageFeaturedDownloadAsset":null,"pageFeaturedDownloadLink":null,"pageFeaturedDownloadCta":null,"pageFeaturedVideo":null,"pageFeaturedService":null,"pageFeaturedActivities":null,"pageFeaturedQuote":null}},"pageContext":{"id":"559ebe4a-7cc3-5f97-848f-2aae22c0aff0","contentful_id":"2nKB0kQBmnF4drocPY7b5B","locale":"es-MX","section":"topics"}},"staticQueryHashes":["1119012108","1697936219","179512363","179512363","179512363","2544526753","2864971689","2920524551","526850764","526850764","526850764","576933679","984081858"]}