Why Are Babies Afraid?






Babies can feel afraid at a very early age because their nervous systems are still developing. Babies' fears will decrease as they get older and assimilate to how events unfold.





Common Baby Fears






Common fears in newborn babies can be listed as follows:



-Loud noises,

-Falls,

-Separation from parents,

-Strangers.




Since newborn babies' vision is not yet developed enough to identify objects, objects often do not scare them. Loud noises, on the other hand, cause the baby to startle. This reflex is also known as the Moro reflex.






Moro Reflex






The Moro reflex is known as the jump or startle reflex. It is the sudden startling, opening of both arms to the sides, lifting of the legs, extension of the neck and return of the arms to their place while the baby's hands are bent. The Moro reflex starts from birth and ends by 5-6 months. After a few months, you may notice that your baby will stop this reflex and start crying. After your baby grows up, you may encounter different fears.






Fears Originating from Imagination






As symbols and symbolic thoughts develop in babies' minds, their imaginations expand. With this expansion of imagination, they can create their own hypotheses about many subjects and create fear.






Fears Originating from Negative Experiments






Negative situations experienced while the mother is in the womb, difficulties experienced at the time of birth, neglect during upbringing, health problems, injuries and accident experiences can lay the foundation for fear in the baby.






Coping with Babies' Fears






If fears increase in frequency and are not overcome, they can cause problems in the child's development. For this reason, children's fears need to be overcome. Their families should also help them overcome their fears. First of all, the feared situation needs to be accepted, even if it is not within the framework of logic. Showing that there is nothing to be afraid of can reverse the situation.

If a situation is extremely feared, you need to support them and make them feel that you are with them. Taking your child in your lap, stroking their head or back, or trying to distract them can help in this regard.




A Sense of Trust






By instilling a sense of trust in a person, they can overcome their fears that will arise or have already occurred. It is not right to make fun of what they are afraid of during or after the fear. Others should not be allowed to make fun of them either. In this case, trying to understand your child and making them feel that you are with them will create a safe zone for them and will help them get away from their fear. During this process, you should not get angry with your child and you should be calm.