Notice your baby’s changing moods and states, for example, when waking up and going to sleep. Support their attempts to regain a sense of regulation by holding, rocking or singing. New Jersey Birth to Three Early Learning Standards. (2013). New Jersey Council for Young Children. Taipale J. (2016). Self-regulation and Beyond: Affect Regulation and the Infant-Caregiver Dyad. Frontiers in psychology, 7, 889. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2016.00889 (Level III) Karreman, A., van Tuijl, C., van Aken, M. A. G., & Dekovic, M. (2006). Parenting and Self-Regulation in Preschoolers: A Meta-Analysis. Infant and Child Development, 15(6), 561–579. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=eric&AN=EJ958131&site=ehost-live (Level I)
Infants initially learn to regulate themselves by mirroring caregivers’ responses. It is helpful for caregivers to be able to observe and respond to infants’ moods and states and help babies to regain a sense of regulation. Taipale J. (2016). Self-regulation and Beyond: Affect Regulation and the Infant-Caregiver Dyad. Frontiers in psychology, 7, 889. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2016.00889 (Level III) Karreman, A., van Tuijl, C., van Aken, M. A. G., & Dekovic, M. (2006). Parenting and Self-Regulation in Preschoolers: A Meta-Analysis. Infant and Child Development, 15(6), 561–579. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=eric&AN=EJ958131&site=ehost-live (Level I)
Infants require adults to manage a large portion of their regulatory needs, from feeding to temperature control to the management of environmental stimuli. Infants react physically to the sensory information around them, with little capacity to change their experience. They need adults who are sensitive to their cues, responsive to their needs, and able to provide a soothing presence in times of distress.
Caregivers’ capacity for co-regulation depends on the caregivers’ own self-regulation skills. As caregivers play an important role to help babies co-regulate, babies can sense caregivers’ moods and may mirror them.