Your Baby's Temperament

From birth, babies differ remarkably in personality. Noticing your baby's specific traits will help you and your caregiver understand your child better. Here are some of the characteristics that will offer clues to your child's individual temperament.

Activity level
Some babies throw off a receiving blanket as they thrash around vigorously. As toddlers, they run and chase and seem to be on the go all day. Other newborns snooze serenely. As toddlers, they may be able to sit peacefully and listen to a story. Is your child highly active or less so? Knowing your child's activity level will help you understand the best ways to keep her occupied.

Approach to novelty
Some babies face the new with zest and curiosity — whether an unfamiliar strained vegetable or a new child-care provider. Other babies are slower to warm up to a change in schedule, caregivers, or food. If your baby is a cautious type, she'll need extra reassurance in order to engage in new activities.

Mood
Some babies smile and laugh a lot. They light up and show their joy easily. Other babies are less expressive. Become familiar with your baby's typical responses so that you can read her feelings more effectively.

Rhythmicity
Some babies' bodies function as if they were primed by an inner clock. You can almost predict just when they'll get hungry, soil their diapers, or need a nap. Other babies are more unpredictable. They wake erratically or want to be fed on a flexible schedule. Their bowel movements, too, may be sporadic. Take note of your child's body signals — they are good indicators of her needs and wants.

Threshold for distress
Some babies wake and coo while waiting to nurse or have their diaper changed. Others wake screaming with hunger. Similarly, some babies take a tumble while learning to walk and just pick themselves up and continue. Other toddlers sprawl and yowl with indignation. Knowing how your baby typically responds will help you gauge whether her crying means slight distress or a severe problem.

Adaptability
Sooner or later, infants experience an initially stressful event, such as being left with a new child-care provider. More flexible babies adapt fairly easily to the new situation. Others find it difficult to adjust. It's important to know how much adjustment time your child needs so you can help her feel comfortable in new situations.

Attention span and persistence
Does your infant persist at trying to obtain a forbidden object, or can she be easily tempted by a new toy? One baby explores a jack-in-the box — even when other children are noisily at play. Another baby is easily distracted from play if she hears any noise in her vicinity. Knowing your baby's attention span will help you provide an effective learning environment for him.

Tuning in to temperament
No matter what your baby's temperament — easygoing, feisty, or slow to warm up — be sure to share your observations with your caregiver. Your baby may require quiet before he can concentrate on a game or a story. Or your toddler may need acceptance of her intense determination to finish building a block tower — even though cleanup time has already started. Learning the secrets of temperament boosts your ability to tune into and adapt to your baby's personal style.