We share some advice on nurturing a baby’s emotional wellbeing in today’s fast-paced world and encourage you to embrace the journey of parenthood with patience and positivity, ensuring that both you and your baby thrive in a loving and supportive atmosphere.
These tips from the Old Mutual Rewards Baby Club will resonate with the everyday experiences of parents and caregivers. Creating a happy and confident baby starts with fostering a nurturing environment that prioritises their emotional wellbeing and development. By sensitively responding to their needs, encouraging social interactions and helping them understand their emotions, you lay the foundation for a secure and joyful childhood. From promoting a love of learning through diverse experiences to creating a tranquil home environment, these practical steps are essential for boosting your baby’s emotional wellbeing.
Also read our articles on developing baby’s senses and tips for tummy time.
10 tips for emotional health and happiness
To ensure your baby grows into a confident and contented little person, create a nurturing environment that prioritises their emotional wellbeing and development. Here are 10 practical ways to boost your baby’s emotional health and happiness.
- Always respond sensitively and promptly to your baby’s needs, whether they’re hungry, tired or needing comfort. Give your baby lots of cuddles and hugs and boost their confidence with plenty of verbal praise. Your consistent and loving care will help your baby feel secure and loved, laying the foundation for emotional wellbeing.
- Give your baby opportunities to interact socially with other babies and toddlers. Praise them whenever they show empathy, co-operation or kindness.
- Help your toddler identify and label emotions. When they’re upset, acknowledge their feelings by saying: “I see you’re feeling sad/cross/frustrated.” This validation will help them build emotional intelligence and learn to regulate their emotions. Being able to understand and express emotions is an immensely valuable life skill and an essential ingredient of a happy life and emotional wellbeing.
- Stimulate your baby and nurture a love of learning by exposing them to diverse age-appropriate experiences, from picture books and hands-on activities to visits to art galleries, museums and parks. Laugh, sing and dance to happy music together. Check out Google and Pinterest for simple DIY baby toy ideas.
- Make your home a peaceful haven. It won’t be possible to achieve this every day, of course, but try to create an oasis of calm in a hectic world where the whole family (including you) can recharge their batteries and connect. Use soothing colours, soft lighting, plants, flowers, comforting textures and calming music to create a tranquil mood that promotes contentment and relaxation.
- Avoid petty rules, but have a “no shouting or yelling” policy that applies to the whole family, regardless of age. Don’t allow and never resort to any form of violence or aggression, including smacking and spanking.
- Encourage and praise effort, not perfection, from the get-go. As your baby grows into a toddler, help them understand it’s ok to make mistakes. Assure them that even you make mistakes sometimes!
- Give your baby the space and freedom to play and make a mess. Don’t sweat the small stuff, but from toddlerhood onwards, develop the habit of packing things away together at the end of the day.
- Be organised. It helps create gaps for spontaneous fun and also helps reduce stress and tension. If you’re naturally scatty or tend to leave things till the last minute, it’s time to invest in pocket diaries, desk calendars and noticeboards to help you bring a little more order into your family life.
- Secure your future. Knowing your future is well taken care of will give you great peace of mind and help make you a more relaxed, playful parent – every baby and toddler loves playful parents! If you haven’t done so already, speak to a financial adviser about drawing up a comprehensive financial plan to grow and protect your financial and emotional wellbeing.
Support for new parents
Being a new parent can be overwhelming. Building a network of support is essential.
If you are not yet enjoying the support, benefits and added value offered by the Old Mutual Rewards BabyClub, you can join today via the Old Mutual Rewards Programme, which is free and open to everyone, not just customers.
