Challenges to Babies' Adjustment (Adapted from DC:0-3)

Major changes in an infant or toddler's life may result reactions from the child. Even something that seems as simple as a change in daily routines (such as when a parent who has been at home returns to work, a move to a new daycare, or the absence of a parent or other close relative) may affect babies, who don't have a sense of time.

The way infants react to changes like these may be different from the way older children react. For example, infants' eating and sleeping may become disrupted, or they may become more irritable, clingy, or even aggressive. This is a challenging time for infants and their families, who may also have experienced a disruption. Here are some suggestions for making this time easier:

• Keep routines regular, and make sure your baby is being cared for by a regular, familiar person as much as possible. Routines provide babies with a sense of things being normal and may help them better recover from a disruption.
• Some babies may seem to "go backwards" in their development after a big change in their lives. For example, some babies may want to be held more; some may wake more frequently in the night; some may wish to be fed instead of feeding themselves. Whenever possible, this behavior should just be accepted, and your baby should be comforted.
• If night waking is an issue, your baby may do better by sleeping with you or another trusted person, if this is acceptable. Your baby can be weaned from co-sleeping later, when he or she is feeling more secure.
• If you or other caregivers have also experienced a major change, it is important to care for yourself if you need it. Get support from whomever you can. Your pediatric team can provide you with counseling information if you feel this would be helpful.