13/02/2025
I really enjoyed reading this book. It not only gives some helpful tips for parents but also calls on the reader to reflect on their own life and childhood and how it could be impacting them in the now.
One of the things I liked was it encouraged parents/caregivers to give their baby the space to cry, as sometimes they just need to release stress. When we try to distract them from crying at these times it can teach them that it is wrong to cry and they may use things like thumb sucking ect to distract themselves from their emotions.
This might carry into adulthood where we might distract ourselves by overworking, developing bad habits and even addiction.
It is important as both a baby(child) and an adult to allow ourselves the space to sit with and express our emotions, for otherwise these suppressed emotions can impact the health of our physical body, our mental health and may result in habits/behaviours that are not healthy for ourselves or those around us.
When all your baby's needs are met and there appears to be unexplained crying, the author suggested holding your baby with love, allowing them to cry and saying to them;
"I'm right here"
"I'm listening"
"I see you're upset"
"I'll stay with you while you cry"
You can also use this kindness with yourself, by being fully present with yourself and listening to what it is you truly need and allowing yourself to express your emotions.
You may also like to write a letter to your past self or speak to your inner child directly, giving yourself the opportunity to be supported in those times of past distress and giving yourself permission to express your emotions as they wished to be expressed at that time.
As this book calls on the reader to trust in their baby, it's also a reminder to trust in yourself, knowing that when we give ourselves the space to truly tune in, we always know what it is that we need.
The Aware Baby
By Alethea J. Solter, Ph.D