Baby’s  first stage of psychosocial development is a time during which he learns either to trust or mistrust the world.

Naturally, we all want what is the best for baby. However, sometimes this means that we don’t tell baby the truth so as not to cause unnecessary upset.

So, for example, Dad might leave the house and say that he will be back soon when in fact he will be gone for a few days.

In this scenario what baby learns is:

(1) They don’t think I can cope

(2) What they say is not the truth

Your baby in the womb and outside will feel much more trust and confidence if he knows that what you say is true.

In telling him the truth that Dad is going away for a few days you are subtly communicating several important messages to your very perceptive baby:

(1) that Dad being gone for a few days is ok

(2) that Mom is more that capable of coping

(3) your confidence that baby can cope too and will be fine

(4) that all is well even if it is a little different

(5) that Dad will be back when he says so

Babies learn my imitation…this includes our emotional habits. And if we communicate confidence and trust then this is what baby will learn.

Our job is not to prevent baby from experiencing different emotions because they are part and parcel of human experience.

Our job is to empower them with an understanding of emotions and how to manage them.

So give yourself permission to tell your baby what is really going on with the intention that baby learns to trust you, his environment and, most importantly, himself.

In joy,

Deirdre Morris