The moment your newborn finds his way to the nursery, he immediately falls under serious scrutiny. “Active,” “sleepy,” “fussy,” or “quiet” are some words used by family and friends to describe your baby.According to Citadel Caparas-de Castro, M.D., pediatrician at University of Sto. Tomas Hospital, “There is not one single personality type in one baby. There is an interplay of these traits at one time or another, but knowing his dominant character guides you in effectively handling him.” Understanding your baby’s personality helps you develop a parenting style that would effectively address his needs and create opportunities for bonding. Which infant personality type best describes your baby?

 

The active/energetic baby

This baby is always on the go! He explores every nook and cranny of his crib, playpen, or anywhere he finds himself in. Your watchful eye is a must with his heightened curiosity. Home-based entrepreneur Jane Siy-de Guzman supervises her active one-year-old daughter very closely. “Jesse is very curious about everything she sees. She touches them and sometimes even tastes them. She quickly imitates what she sees,” she says. Oftentimes overtired by nightfall, it is difficult to put this type of child to bed. He will go into bouts of crying before settling down. Then, he wakes up the next day recharged and ready to roll again!

Parenting challenge: It can be pretty exhausting trying to keep up with your active baby. “We make sure Jesse is accompanied by an adult to avoid accidents. There are times when she needs more attention, so we drop whatever we are doing and play with her,” says Siy-de Guzman. 

Bonding opportunities: “A baby who is active and energetic may benefit from the chance for vigorous play to work off stored energy,” says Dr. Caparas-de Castro. Siy de-Guzman does this by incorporating actions or hand and body movements in activities like singing or storytelling. Pretend play is another way of channeling your child’s energy towards something
he enjoys. Michele Bautista-So, mom to Nathan, 2, and Amanda, 4 months, shares, “Nathan loves cars so once in a while, we spend time inside the car. I let him sit on my lap while he pretends to drive.”

At the end of the day, provide winding down activities for your active one. “This child needs a calming, predictable bedtime routine to help him settle down. Play soothing music, read his favorite story, or give him a gentle massage to help him relax,” suggests Dr. Caparas-de Castro.

 

Click here to read on to learn more about the mellow/cautious baby and the sensitive/grumpy baby.

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Read more about the mellow/cautious baby and the sensitive/grumpy baby.

 

The mellow/cautious baby

This go-with-the-flow baby easily adapts to his environment and quickly establishes a routine. He wakes up in the morning generally happy and settles down in bed without much ado. He isn’t easily upset, is able to calm himself on his own, and can tolerate even the most chaotic environment. This no-fuss baby does not need special strategies to keep him content. He isn’t one to display extreme emotions and seems satisfied just watching from the sidelines.

Parenting challenge: Because your baby seems not to demand too much attention, it may be easy to overlook his needs. Moira Bunyi, who has a Master’s degree in Family Life and Child Development Education, says, “Parents should spend time observing their baby at different situations—during active play, quiet play, and interactions with people.” Providing a lot of stimulation lets you familiarize yourself with his different reactions to different situations.

Bonding opportunities: Looking at your baby’s face and into his eyes teaches you some of his unique cues you might otherwise miss. Showing various facial expressions prompts him to imitate and express more emotions like delight, frustration, or fear. As your baby grows older, more interactive play encourages him to socialize. “By doing simple activities such as reading stories, water and sand play, playing tag, singing songs, bubble play, and ball games, you can find out which one he enjoys the most and build on that,” says Bunyi.       

 

The sensitive/grumpy baby

With this baby, you might often feel frustrated after having tried just about every trick in the book! “He cries at the sight of unfamiliar faces, refuses to try new foods, hates baths at first, gets fidgety and irritable when getting dressed, and cries when he doesn’t get what he wants right away,” says Dr. Caparas-de Castro. Over-whelmed by even the slightest stimulation, he quickly becomes anxious and is not afraid to show it.

Parenting challenge: You’re likely to find yourself in situations where your patience will be tested again and again. It’s also a struggle for your baby who immediately feels overwhelmed with a lot of things going on.

Dr. Caparas-de Castro stresses the importance of introducing new experiences gradually, allowing your child when to accept changes, and interacting with people when he is ready. 

Bonding opportunities: “Establishing a routine creates a sense of comfort since he knows what to expect,” explains Bunyi.
A synchronized sleeping time with the rest of the family ensures less noise and disturbance. Eating meals in small amounts lessens the fear of certain foods and the overwhelming task of having too much on his plate. Scheduling feeding time to coincide with family meal time familiarizes him with the routine. Lead by example and try new things first to show him there’s nothing to be afraid of.

If all else fails, cradle him in your arms and give him your gentle, reassuring touch.

As your baby grows, his traits also evolve. “It is essential that your child grows without too many expectations, preconceptions, and predispositions. Let his personality unfold as he grows,” reminds Dr. Caparas-de Castro.

 

Sources:

• Citadel Caparas-de Castro, M.D., pediatrician, University of Sto. Tomas Hospital, España, Manila; ACOP Children’s Clinic, Antipolo City
• Moira Bunyi, M.A., Family Life and Child Development, University of the Philippines, Diliman, Quezon City

 

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