Are babies born sensitive or do they become sensitive as a result of the actions of their parents?

I realize this is a very general question, but any insight on this subject would be appreciated.

All babies as all people are different with different personallities. What seems to be going on with the baby, anything specific? You can do a search on the internet if there is a problem they might have your answers for you. I have a 16 month old great-grandson here and I will help you with any answers I can. Good luck with your lil miracle baby.

I should clarify - I don't have a newborn. (Couldn't survive that at this point!) I came in contact with a 2 1/2 month old that the parents have classified as "sensitive". This baby will not be held by anyone besides the parents and seems to have a high level of stranger anxiety. The baby has not had much outside contact and has only left the house a handful of times. I suggested that the baby should have been exposed to more people and situations all along, and that the lack of interactions has made this baby "sensitive". Am I wrong?

I'd say you're partly right. Although at 2 1/2 months the baby shouldn't be experiencing stranger anxiety. That seems much too young. The parents may be transmitting their anxiety to the child and the child is picking up on their vibes. They'll end up with a "sensitive" child if they continue to act like they have one already. Does that make sense to anybody? LOL

As an example if a kid falls down and the mom or dad makes a huge fuss about it the child will probably cry and carry on. Whereas, if a child falls down and the caregiver fluffs it off and makes light of it, the child will think "I'm OK, she's not freaking out so I must not be hurt". Kids are really perceptive.

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I think 2 1/2 months is kind of young to worry about not having exposed them to enough people?

My 7 year old used to cry when she'd be around men with gruff voices... my father and also one of our best friends. Once we met our friend at a restaurant and my daughter cried just seeing him! Of course, you wouldn't know that now.

All kids are just different. Yes the parents teach them how to respond and behave, but they each have a different personality and sensitivities.

And at 2 months it's just his instincts, he knows his parents voices and looks and it's just nature. At that age I don't think it's important to leave the house or be exposed to many strangers ,it's still a time of bonding and getting him comfortable in his new world no need for outside stimulation, he gets enough right where he is.

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I personally feel any sensitive child or baby while 2 months is kinda young happens from both ways. in other words I think part of each is caused by being born that way, and part is inherted from your parents. Again my personal views on the subject. Peace. Catherine

I think it's mostly the child's traits. Really no baby that young should be exposed to so many people and situations, germs are easily spread and given to infants, and the best source for contracting germs are churches and grocery stores. I don't think lack of interaction has made this baby sensitive, I think the parents are wise for keeping their child safe... We just got out of the NICU two months ago, and we are very careful with our little boy, like your friends, and he's not sensitive, he's now 3 1/2 months. Babies are born with their own unique personalities, and this just may be it.

The baby will be fine. Socializing (other than parents) really doesn't need to start for the first few years anyway. Surely is safer germ wise.

I'd try not to worry at this point.

I think some babies are born 'sensitive'. In my case, my DS had no problems with others from the get go. Now my DD was completely opposite (and she is the second child, so it isn't that I was being overprotective, etc.). She wanted me and only me. Not even DH would do, she would scream until she had me again. She VERY slowly got over it. I'd say that it took about a year, maybe a little longer for it to happen.

Probably a combination of birth personality and environment.

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My baby is 2 this month. I admit, I have been a nut about who holds him and all. We just don't go out alot, and haven't since he was born. He was a preemie, so we started out being careful, and have continued to. He goes to daycare now, which scares me to death, but only 2-3 days a week. Besides that, the occasional restaurant, friends house, Target or so, and we stay home. Strangers never touch him. There's just too much nastiness floating around now!!

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I believe that some parents project their own personalities/fears onto their children. Is the baby really sensitive or is the mother sensitive? Who knows.

Rebecca

My youngest DD was one of those "sensitive babies". Day 2 in the hospital the staff brought her to me and said we can do nothing to make this child happy you will have to take her as she is keeping the entire nursery awake with her wailing. She was a great baby until day 2 of her life. She never let anyone hold her, she would squirm and scream. Sometimes she would scream for hours on end and to stop it we would either change her clothes or remove her diaper. She was and still is very picky about her clothes. Turned out she had a distended colon and when you would cradle her like a baby it would push her stomach together and hurt. She wanted to lay out flat to where it did not hurt her. She could not handle even the pressure of a diaper on her belly some days. They had no reason for the distention except she was a few weeks early and they said maybe she was not done developing. She is 9 now and still cannot handle clothing on her stomach. Cannot wear jeans especially since they do not give at the waist much. She is still a little bit of a difficult child though but I guess that is her personality. Kind of has the world owes me something attitude and has a short temper. Some clothing feels itchy to her one day but she can wear it on another day with no problems. Likes a food one day and then will throw it up the next day. We have learned to just allow her sensitivities to be and play along within reason so she feels more in control of her body and world. It does make for a difficult life for us parents though. And yes she has seen doctors to make sure she is mentally ok and she is. They said they term it Obstinence Defiance Disorder where she just doesnt like to be told how her life will be. Kind of a head strong attitude. She is totally an opposite kid at school though than at home. So she works it well with mom and dad. She basically was born this way though. My other child is the exact oppostie though so I agree it can be the personality they are born with as she is being raised no different than the other child who is the complete opposite.

Some of it is environment and some is the child. I have two boys who were brought up in similar situations (3 years apart) and they are very opposite of each other.

At 2 1/2 months, lack of interaction with the outside world really woudn't have a lot to do with the baby being 'sensitive'. I wouldn't expect the baby to be out of the home a lot or even with other people. Sure, some babies are, especially if they have older siblings and/or the parents work outside of the home and have the baby in some kind of childcare but many others are not.