Can You Spoil Your Infant?

The short answer is “No”, you can’t spoil your infant.

There’s a reason babies cry as much as they do; it’s their main (and mostly) only way they can communicate their needs. Babies cry for a number of reasons; they’re hungry, tired, overstimulated, and sometimes babies just cry even if you’ve done everything you can think of to meet their needs. Yes, it can be frustrating and yes it can be exhausting, but when your so small, you need to have a way to catch people’s attention.

Being attentive to your baby when they cry allows them to understand that “when I cry, I am comforted” thus forming a healthy attachment to you. When caregivers are inconsistent or avoid their baby when they cry, this can lead to an insecure attachment style. (For more information about attachment styles please click HERE to read Understanding Attachment Styles to Nurture Secure Parental Connections)

While yes, eventually the baby may learn to stop crying, it may not be because they have learned to self-soothe, rather they may have learned that crying gets them nowhere.

Infants who experience consistent and nurturing relationships during their early years develop a secure attachment to their caregivers. As these children grow, they generally manage stress more effectively. Additionally, they often interact well with their peers and are more likely to enjoy better physical and emotional health as adults.

And no, you can’t spoil your baby by holding them too much; providing love, comfort, and attention is exactly what they need from you. Infancy is a crucial time to bond with your child, helping them feel that their environment is safe and that you will always be there for them. This sense of security promotes healthy brain development. Research shows that children whose caregivers respond attentively to their needs in the first year are more likely to become self-reliant, possess higher self-esteem, manage stress better, build healthier relationships, and perform well in school.

So, don’t worry about spoiling your newborn. Embrace and savor the opportunity to hold, hug, and snuggle them as much as possible, because they will never be that small again. And soon enough you’ll be reminiscing about it while your toddler is throwing their 5th tantrum of the day.