01 Development of Infant Personality Traits
Imagine two newborns, both boys, from the same family.
The first newborn is very quiet and enjoys playing by himself. He silently observes everything around him but seldom seeks attention from others. He can sleep for long periods and has a low feeding frequency. The second newborn is easily irritable and startled. He is restless, constantly moving whether awake or asleep. While most newborns sleep for around 14 hours a day, he only sleeps for 10 hours and wakes up at the slightest disturbance. He seems to do everything in a hurry, even feeding quickly and swallowing a lot of air, requiring frequent burping by the parents.
Both these newborns are perfectly healthy and normal, yet due to their markedly different personalities, the way their family treats them will vary greatly from birth.
Just like these two newborns, your baby exhibits many unique personality traits. Discovering these traits is the most exciting part of raising a child. Is he lively and impatient, or more patient? Does he fear or enjoy new situations, such as his first bath? From his sleeping patterns to his crying, you can find clues about his personality in every action. The more attention you invest, the easier it will be to respond appropriately to his unique personality, leading to a calmer and more manageable life for you.
02 Personality Traits in Premature Babies
Although these early personality traits are mostly inherited, they may manifest later for premature babies. Premature babies may not express their needs clearly like other newborns, such as hunger, fatigue, or discomfort. They may be particularly sensitive to light, sound, and touch, which can make them restless and turn away from stimuli. In such cases, parents can choose to pause and wait until the baby is ready to accept more attention. Most of these early reactions will eventually disappear, and the child's innate personality traits will become more apparent.
Low birth weight infants, born weighing less than 2.5 kilograms, may not respond as actively as other newborns, even if they are full-term. Initially, they may appear lethargic and less alert. It's only after a few weeks that they become more alert and their appetite increases, although they remain easily irritable and sensitive to stimuli between feedings. This sensitivity may persist as they grow older and mature.
From the moment a child is born, his personality traits will influence how you treat him and feel about him. If you had specific ideas about parenting, it's time to reconsider whether they truly align with your child's personality traits. The same applies to expert advice, whether from books or articles—consider them carefully. In fact, there is no one-size-fits-all parenting approach. You need to establish your own principles based on your child's unique personality, your beliefs, and your family environment. The key is to respect your child's individuality. Don't try to fit him into pre-existing molds or patterns. Your child's uniqueness is his strength. Respecting his strengths from an early age will lay a solid foundation for his self-esteem and building loving relationships with others.