SIGNS OF TRAUMA IN BABIES HOW TO

SIGNS OF TRAUMA IN BABIES HOW TO

Daniel Siegel, author of The Developing Mind (1999), points out that prenates and babies learn how to respond to the world around them from their caregivers and are dependent on the caregiver’s help in order to process trauma.

Babies and prenates will readily feel anything their mother, father, or sibling is undergoing. An infant’s ability to perceive its surroundings is truly remarkable. Our physiological response to stress is informed by this neurological development, which means that our adult stress responses are likely to be very similar to, and perhaps dependent upon, what we learned as prenates and infants.īEBA research, and research conducted in the prenatal community at large, makes it very clear that if a baby is hurt, the whole family is hurt. Additionally, traumatic events impact an infant’s neurological development. In short, one’s entire self-image and manner of responding to outside events is affected by early trauma. They also impact physiological characteristics like balance and the ability to orient in space, and mental characteristics like the ability to focus attention and learn effectively from experience. In later life, unresolved early traumas affect personality, behavior and relationship formation. These experiences make it difficult for them to manage stress, deal with conflict, develop self-esteem or even fully attach to their parents. This means that what infants or prenates experience not only impacts their ability to form bonds and make decisions later in life, it actually contributes to the structure of their brains and nervous systems.īabies and prenates routinely suffer traumatic experiences that negatively impact their development. Neurological research shows a direct link between individuals’ experiences and the development of their nervous systems. Brain development, learning capacity, emotional stability, physical coordination, early language skills, and self-esteem are all affected by life’s earliest experiences. An ever-growing body of research indicates that the experiences one has during these stages profoundly affect one’s long-term physical, emotional, and mental health. Gestation, birth and early childhood are remarkable stages in a person’s life. Why Is It Important To Heal Early Trauma? The term “birth trauma” specifically refers to adverse experiences one has during birth, but any traumatic events that take place between conception and about the age of three have particular significance in shaping an individual’s life. Likewise, being whisked away from one’s parents right after birth can be particularly traumatic, as can interventions like induced labor and birth by caesarian section. Early prenatal experiences like a death in the family and not being wanted are significant examples.

It can come from something as obvious as being born prematurely or something as subtle as losing a twin in the early stages of fetal development. In fact, trauma occurs in many different situations. We are learning that stressful family events, emotional tension and the way routine medical procedures are performed may also have long-lasting traumatic effects. It has long been known that nicotine, alcohol, drug use and poor nutrition have traumatic effects on prenates and babies. What are common signs in teens and adults of early trauma? What are common parental responses to child’s early trauma? What are some of the signs older children exhibit after experiencing trauma? What are some of the signs babies exhibit after experiencing trauma? What are some known causes of early trauma? What scientific research supports the BEBA approach? Why is it important to heal early trauma?

Signs of trauma in babies