They need to be fed, changed, bathed, kept warm, and comforted if they are uncomfortable. Parents who respond to these needs in warm and predictable ways help to reassure their babies that someone is there to meet their needs. At birth, babies' needs are met on demand. Over time parents discover the rhythms of their infants and work with those rhythms to develop a routine, for example, breastfeeding every three hours, bath in the morning, nap in the afternoon. When routines are followed consistently, babies experience less stress.
Infants learn that their parents respond to their positive emotions as well as their distress.
Research indicates that, at a neurological level, each time infants are soothed, the neural circuits in the brain that help them calm down are strengthened. Other family members can support parents as they get to know the infant and work toward establishing routines. Be informed about child development - understand how early experience helps to develop the capacity for emotional control. Community groups that provide support to parents can also contribute to the positive emotional development of children. Parents who are supported themselves are more available to provide the emotional engagement needed by their infants.