Babies are capable of selfregulation from "summary" of Your Self-Confident Baby by Magda Gerber,Allison Johnson
Babies are born with the remarkable ability to regulate their own bodies. This means that they can determine when they are hungry, when they are full, when they are tired, and when they need comfort. As parents, our role is to observe and respond to our babies' cues and signals, rather than imposing our own schedules or expectations on them. When we respect our babies' self-regulatory abilities, we allow them to develop a sense of trust in themselves and in the world around them. By responding promptly and consistently to their needs, we communicate to them that they are important and worthy of attention. This lays a strong foundation for their self-confidence and self-esteem as they grow older. It is important for parents to understand that babies are not manipulating or trying to control us when they cry or express their needs. Instead, they are simply communicating in the only way they know how. By viewing their behavior in this light, we can approach parenting with patience, empathy, and understanding. By trusting in our babies' self-regulatory abilities, we can also avoid the common pitfalls of overfeeding, overstimulating, or overcoddling them. When we allow babies to set the pace and rhythm of their own development, we give them the freedom to explore and learn at their own pace. This fosters independence and self-reliance, qualities that will serve them well throughout their lives.- Understanding and honoring babies' self-regulation is a key aspect of respectful and responsive parenting. By tuning in to our babies' signals and cues, we can build a strong and loving relationship based on trust and mutual respect. This approach not only benefits our babies in the present moment, but also sets the stage for their future growth and development.
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