A group of us were sitting around with our babies—bleary-eyed and silly with sleep deprivation—and started doing that thing where you imagine what your baby is thinking.
Andrew looked at his 9-month-old twins (Nate was mouthing a rattle, Kate was watching him) and said, “Kate is all, ‘What are you doing? Chewing on a toy? You’re acting like a baby!’”
When we think about babies, it’s natural to focus on how different they are from us—how helpless and clueless they seem. But the reality is that even very young babies are trying to make sense of what they see and hear all around them. They also have a growing ability to feel complex emotions, like sadness and fear, much earlier than many people expect.
So if you’ve ever stared at your baby’s enormous bald head and wondered what on earth was going on in there, here’s a sneak peek into five important ways that your baby is learning from experiences in the first year of life.
1. Your Baby Can Sense Your Emotions as Early as 3 Months Old
Babies are incredibly attuned to their caregivers. Even in the first few months, they pick up on your facial expressions and tone of voice—whether you’re sad, angry, or happy—and they react accordingly.
This is why it’s so important to be mindful of your own emotional state. Managing stress in healthy ways helps you cope without negatively affecting your baby. Creating a calm and responsive environment supports their sense of security and well-being.
2. Even Very Young Babies Have Big Feelings
Babies can begin experiencing emotions like sadness and fear as early as 3 to 5 months of age. Long before they can say their first words, they feel a full range of emotions, including joy, anger, interest, and excitement.
By tuning into your baby’s facial expressions, sounds, and gestures, you’ll discover important clues about how they are feeling. When you respond with warmth and sensitivity, your baby learns that their emotions matter and builds trust in you as their caregiver.
3. Your Baby Knows When You’re Teaching Them Something Important
Even young babies can tell when you’re trying to show or tell them something significant. They pay extra attention when you make eye contact, call their name, and use that high-pitched, sing-song voice known as parentese.
Research has shown that babies who hear more parentese tend to learn more words over time. So go ahead—narrate their day, describe what they see, and engage them in conversation. Every interaction strengthens their language development and deepens your connection.
4. Babies Watch Your Reactions to Understand the World
Babies look to their caregivers for cues about what’s safe or unsafe. If you smile at a new caregiver and talk about how much fun your baby will have, they are more likely to feel secure in the new environment.
On the other hand, if you seem nervous, repeatedly check in, or show hesitation, your baby may pick up on your uncertainty and become anxious as well. When introducing new experiences, your response plays a big role in shaping how your baby feels about them.
5. Stress Can Affect Babies as Early as 6 Months
Stress can come in many forms for babies—angry voices, rough handling, big changes in their routine, or overstimulation. Research has even found that babies’ stress levels rise when they hear shouting, even if they are asleep.
While disagreements and tough moments are a normal part of life, a home environment filled with ongoing stress can negatively impact a child’s development. Surrounding your baby with nurturing relationships and predictable routines helps create a foundation for lifelong emotional well-being.
A Strong Start for a Healthy Brain
Your baby’s brain is growing at an incredible pace in the first year of life, and their experiences shape how it develops. By understanding their emotions, communicating responsively, and creating a loving environment, you’re helping to build the foundation for a lifetime of learning and healthy relationships.
So the next time you wonder what’s going on inside that tiny head—remember, there’s a lot more happening than meets the eye!
