Stress Reactivity and Regulation in Infancy: Indicators, Correlates, and Methods of Soothing

Abstract

Calming distressed infants is a topic of interest to all who provide care to the very young. The stress literature has indicated that both stress reactivity and regulation are of interest in examining stress. A review of literature was conducted to examine indicators of infant stress, correlates of infant stress, and methods of soothing distressed infants. Current research has provided an increasing ability to determine whether infants are experiencing stress, as indicators are not always obvious. Furthermore, observing infants while they are experiencing stress provides insights into individual differences with regard to stress reactivity and regulation at the earliest of ages. Such information provides insight to providing methods and effectiveness of soothing practices. Implications for parents and practitioners are explored.

KEYWORDS:

• infant soothing
• infant stress
• stress reactivity
• stress regulation