Temperament

What exactly is temperament?
Your baby's temperament is how she thinks about and reacts to her environment. This includes sleeping and eating patterns, sociability, agreeability, how she responds to soothing, and other factors. Some babies are mellow. Others are sensitive and slow to warm to new situations. Still others have robust, high-energy temperaments. Experts now think temperament is largely inborn rather than a product of external factors and influences.

Can I predict my baby's personality by observing her temperament?
To some extent, yes. You began to form a picture of your baby's temperament when she was as young as 3 or 4 months old. At 10 months, your baby's personality is becoming more defined — you can start to more accurately imagine what she'll be like as she gets older by observing her actions and disposition in different situations. Look at overall patterns, not any one particular behavior: Your baby may act a certain way (or change her behavior) because of a temporary factor or a developmental stage she's going through, so don't be too quick to jump to conclusions about her personality.

Is there anything I can do about my baby's temperament?
If there's something about your baby's temperament that has you worried or that you hope to help her with (such as shy behavior), it's important to be understanding and not judgmental. Don't label your baby, criticize her, or otherwise make her think she's flawed or "bad," whether in private or in front of other people. Instead, sympathize, and encourage her when she behaves in a way that seems healthier. Recognize that you can't really change your baby's natural tendencies, although you can encourage certain behavior and help her to learn and grow in a way that supports her temperament.