10 Characteristics Of High Need Babies And Ways To Handle It
Raising high needs babies can be challenging since they constantly require attention and easily get agitated when they are left to entertain themselves. Every baby’s personality is different; some tend to stay calm if their needs are met, while others remain dissatisfied and restless. Persistent display of fussiness and restlessness often indicates a high need behavior.
High needs babies may get irritated if their needs are not met promptly, and it is often difficult to satisfy and calm them. However, some parents and caregivers succeed in managing these behaviors with the right tactics.
Read on to learn more about the effects and ways to deal with high needs babies.
The signs of high need babies may vary. The following are some of the common habits and characteristics of high need babies.
Owing to their temperament, high need babies can’t self-soothe and need their parents or caregivers to soothe them.
Here are a few notable attributes of colicky babies that differentiate them from high need babies.
Being a high need baby is not a medical condition but a characteristic indicating that a baby has a higher need for attention and care.
It is not fully known why some babies tend to have high needs. Babies can have varying personalities and different reactions to the same environment or situation (4). A baby may have a tolerant reaction to a situation, such as a wet diaper, while another baby may display intense crying to attract the parents’ attention and get the issue resolved quickly.
It is likely that some babies have high needs due to their specific personality, which might be affected by a combination of genetic and environmental factors (5). However, it is not entirely known if it is a result of nature, nurture, or both, thus parents should neither blame themselves nor the baby for the high needs behavior.
The effects of a high need personality could vary and may not last forever. Some studies note that a few adulthood behavioral attributes, such as conscientiousnessiA personality trait associated with an individual doing their work in a careful and thorough manner. and impulsiveness, may originate in childhood (6). However, infancy is too early a stage to determine a person’s ultimate personality. Also, childhood personality attributes need not be binding since a child’s behavior can significantly change even through the end of the teenage years.
Therefore, the long-term effects of a high need personality on the baby are not fully understood. If you have any concerns related to your baby’s high need behavior, speak to a pediatrician.
Andrea Dekker, a mother of four children, shares her experience raising a high-needs baby and how her baby has evolved over the years. She says, “Fast-forward 6 years, and I can honestly say Nora is just like any other typical child her age. She has her own unique quirks, mood swings, and personal preferences, but she can function appropriately in most situations (i).” Andrea’s experience illustrates that having a high-needs baby in infancy may not necessarily have a lasting adverse impact on a child’s behavior as they grow up.
Parents may explore tactics that work the best in calming the intense high need behavior of their baby. The following are a few suggestions.
Don’t compare your baby with other babies who are calmer and more relaxed. Comparison can add up to your frustration and leave you more worried.
1. Will a high need baby develop anxiety later in life?
There is no precise way to tell if a high needs baby will develop anxiety during adulthood. The onset of anxiety is influenced by multiple factors, including biological and environmental factors, which may manifest later in life (9). Therefore, infancy could be too early to accurately tell if the baby will develop anxiety later in life.
2. Is a high need baby’s intelligence affected by their behavior?
There is no evidence that a high need behavior could enhance or diminish the baby’s intelligence.
3. Will a high needs baby develop ADHD?
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder or ADHD is a neurodevelopmental disorderiA group of medical conditions affecting the neurological development and functioning in babies. . There is no single symptom and diagnostic procedure for the condition (10). A precise diagnosis of ADHD is only possible after the age of four years (11). Infancy could be too early to determine if the baby would develop ADHD later in life.
4. When do high need babies get easier?
Many babies are more demanding and fussy in the initial months after birth. It is because they are in a different environment and are learning to communicate in new ways (12). However, as they grow, they become more manageable. The exact age when babies become easier to manage differs from child to child. It becomes easier for some high need babies after a few months, while for others, it may take a year or more. To help your child calm down, you may hold them in your arms, make them listen to a calming sound, and avoid overstimulation (13). If you feel concerned, talk to a doctor to check their physical health.
A high-needs baby usually requires extra love and support, which could be exhausting for the parents and caregivers. Be observant of your baby’s triggers to help prevent fussy behaviors. With time, you may be able to better comprehend and manage your baby’s behavior. Remember, your baby’s demanding behavior is not your baby’s mistake, and it could be a normal part of their development. Though you may feel disappointed with your baby’s behavior, this is a temporary phase that shall pass soon. However, if you have any concerns regarding your baby’s behavior, consult your pediatrician.
Babies absorb the emotions and stress around them like a sponge. If you are stressed, it could affect your baby too. Go through the infographic to learn a few tips to reduce parenting stress while caring for your high need baby.