prenatal stress = unhappy baby?

gothiccandy42 · May 2013

For the last 4 months I've been trying to figure out why my beautiful little girl is so much more fussy, co-dependent and sleep deprived than all the other babies I've ever known. Today I did some research on stress during pregnancy and think I may have found my answer. Between harassment/discrimination at work, worrying over possible miscarriage then later high risk pregnancy, stress at home and my father passing when I was 33 weeks, I think I qualify for a stressed out pregnancy. Studies have definitely linked prenatal stress to fussy babies.

So my question for you guys is how did stress affect your babies temperament? Were you VERY stressed (like me)? Not at all? I'm particularly interested in the extremes. I.e. very stressed but had happy baby. Not stressed at all but had fussy, sleepless baby. Though all experiences are welcome. Thanks in advance for sharing yours!

hansonam446 · May 2013

Well my husband was wrongfully convicted and imprisoned when I was 8 months along but B doesn't seem to be anymore difficult or fussy than any other baby.

thatoneredhead · May 2013

I had a worrisome, rough pregnancy with clotting problems and being in extreme pain from a bad gallbladder.

I have a very easy baby. I got lucky.

If this is driving you to feel guilty, please dont blame yourself for having a high needs baby.

SummerOH · May 2013

I was extremely stressed with DD. It was unplanned, I was young, and her dad and I had a bad relationship. She was a colicky for the first 2-3 months, but after that she was just as happy as she could be. My sister had a breeze of a pregnancy and her son is very high-maintenance. Some kids just have different needs and temperaments. Don't blame yourself!

rjeller32 · May 2013

I had a horribly stressful pregnancy with my first, and she was the easiest baby I knew. I was extremely calm, financially stable and happy with my second, and she is a fussy, crying, needy little turd 23 hours out of the day.

I am not sure how much I believe stress from pregnancy to affect the baby's neediness PP, but I do believe stress in your current life while baby is around affects them. All of my worst days with my LO involves me being really stressed about something or another.

a eliza13 · May 2013

I had a stress-free pregnancy and have a very happy baby, but I'm not sure that's the reason why. I wouldn't think about it too much. Maybe your LO is just going through a phase right now.

MrsT0514 · May 2013

Yeah, I'll be honest..I'm hardpressed to believe there is any correlation on this one at all. I had a pretty easy pregnancy myself, and my DS was really fussy for the 2 months or so, but this was also because we found out he has a milk protein allergy. Once we got that taken care of, he's been wonderful since.

this decaf life · May 2013

Not stressed at all. DD is fussy and has tons of problems sleeping.

tracy41 · May 2013

I was extremely stressed my entire pregnancy for a variety of reasons. Like went through multiple major life stressors that they say can cause you to miscarry stressed. LO is just as chill as his older brother. This also disproves the theory that if you had an easy firstborn your second is a terror which I heard a lot while I was pregnant.

Don't start blaming yourself for having a high needs baby! We like to take all the credit and all the blame but they are each their own being!

st.augbride · May 2013

Well, stress is more a measure of how one perceives their environment, and it is very likely that the child of one who feels stressed a lot and has a lot of anxiety also tends to feel more anxiety and stress. While their could be an environmental contributor (perhaps from increased exposure to cortisol, etc...) I would be more inclined to think it's a genetic link.

momofmanyinthemitten · May 2013

I wasn't stressed at all with DD and she was super fussy and needy. She still is what I consider a touchy child. I was a bit more stressed with DS, but he is totally happy go lucky, unless he's hungry or tired. Then, it's the end of the world.

BabyMakes 3 · May 2013

First of all, I'm sorry you went through so much during your pregnancy and that you're having a difficult time with LO now. But, I truly believe that LO's temperament is either just a random issue, or based on mom and dads stress and anxiety levels on a day to day basis. Obviously a fussy baby stresses all of us out, but do you feel like, other than that you are stressed about other issues? I found that once I relaxed, LO relaxed and mellowed out too.

jbatch · May 2013

My husband and I had a really rough stretch during my pregnancy.. We were separated for 3 months and not getting along the rest of the time.. I have a really easy baby..

divajackie67 · May 2013

gothiccandy42:
For the last 4 months I've been trying to figure out why my beautiful little girl is so much more fussy, co-dependent and sleep deprived than all the other babies I've ever known. Today I did some research on stress during pregnancy and think I may have found my answer. Between harassment/discrimination at work, worrying over possible miscarriage then later high risk pregnancy, stress at home and my father passing when I was 33 weeks, I think I qualify for a stressed out pregnancy. Studies have definitely linked prenatal stress to fussy babies.
So my question for you guys is how did stress affect your babies temperament? Were you VERY stressed (like me)? Not at all? I'm particularly interested in the extremes. I.e. very stressed but had happy baby. Not stressed at all but had fussy, sleepless baby. Though all experiences are welcome. Thanks in advance for sharing yours!

I wouldn't call my pregnancy difficult and I don't consider my son difficult either. Just remember difficult is subjective. What some people may find easy could drive you crazy and vice versa.

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