Your baby is very attuned to your emotional state, and they pick up on your stress. Research indicates that a baby's stress level rises when its mother's stress level rises. Focusing on self-care as much as possible during the early days of your baby's life benefits both of you. If you are experiencing a stressful life situation or you have an anxiety disorder, make your mental health a priority as much as you can, and reach out to your healthcare provider when necessary.