You’re probably familiar with the term HSP, a designation for a highly sensitive person. You may have heard this trait discussed on some of our previous shows. We know many mothers are HSP’s, but can an infant be a highly sensitive person? Is it even possible? If you’re a highly sensitive person, then this topic may resonate deeply with you, as it does personally for me. Join us for today’s discussion.
Julie Bjelland is an HSP psychotherapist, global HSP consultant, and the author of several books for the sensitive person. Her work has helped thousands of sensitive people around the world. As an HSP herself, and the mother of highly sensitive children, Julie understands the trait on a personal level, and she’s distinguished herself as one of the leaders in the field of high sensitivity education. Her mission is to spread awareness and education of this trait, and to help HSP’s reduce the challenges, so they can access their many gifts. Julie invites you to explore her website, which is full of helpful resources.
Show Highlights:
- How proper support in childhood can prevent symptoms of anxiety and depression in adulthood, but lack of support usually means increased symptoms
- What to look for in an infant (keep in mind that these indicators can show up differently):
- Advancement in speech and language
- Highly observant
- Frequent overstimulation, with crying and meltdowns
- Sensitive skin and frequent rashes
- Prone to allergies and food sensitivities
- Sensitivity to detergents and chemicals
- Aversion to certain food textures and fabric textures
- Strong reactions to being wet, dirty, and sticky
- Preferences of adults with softer energy levels
- Sleep sensitivities
- Sensitivity to noise and temperature changes
- Needing to be held a lot
- How we create more stress in the way we label HSP behaviors
- How our sensitivities go down when we are balanced and our needs are met
- How to support mom and baby if they both have HSP tendencies
- The HSP trait: it’s innate, affects 20% of the population, is equal in gender distribution, and 70% of HSP’s are introverts
- Why it’s recommended that HSP’s have 2 hours of alone time each day
- Changing the culture and helping new moms have “down time”
- An infant’s mirror neurons when mom is not balanced
- Recovery times that mom and baby need
- How the brain perceives anxiety—and how deep breathing can help
- Difficulties when mom and baby have the HSP trait
- The roles of sleep, sickness, stress–and how HSP’s are affected
- What can do to prevent overwhelm and overstimulation
- How a non-HSP parent can understand an HSP child
- Why it’s important to work with a good therapist
- The need for reducing and removing self-judgment
- The value of finding your tribe and feeling understood
Resources:
The Empowered Highly Sensitive Person by Julie Bjelland
Brain Training for the Highly Sensitive Person by Julie Bjelland
http://www.braintraininghsp.com
Email me: momandmind@gmail.com
Understanding High Sensitivity in Infants: Insights from Dr. Kat’s “Mom and Mind” Podcast with Julie Bjelland
High Sensitivity, or the Highly Sensitive Person (HSP) trait, is recognized in approximately 20% of the population and is characterized by deep processing, high empathy, sensitivity to stimuli, and emotional reactivity. On a recent episode of Dr. Kat’s “Mom and Mind” podcast, HSP psychotherapist and global consultant Julie Bjelland sheds light on the nuances of this trait, particularly in infants, and provides guidance for parents navigating the complexities of high sensitivity.
Can Infants be Highly Sensitive?
The question of whether infants can be highly sensitive is both intriguing and vital, especially for parents who identify as HSPs. Julie Bjelland, an HSP herself and a mother to highly sensitive children, confirms that infants can indeed exhibit the HSP trait. This revelation is crucial as it emphasizes the need for early identification and tailored parenting strategies to support sensitive children right from the start.
Indicators of High Sensitivity in Infants
Julie points out several indicators that may suggest an infant is highly sensitive. These include advanced speech and language skills, high observance, and frequent overstimulation leading to crying and meltdowns. Sensitive skin, frequent rashes, allergies, and food sensitivities are also common among highly sensitive infants. They might show strong reactions to being wet, dirty, or sticky, and have specific aversions to certain textures of food or fabric.
Parents might also notice that their infants have heightened sensitivity to environmental factors such as noise, temperature changes, and the energy levels of people around them. These children often require more physical contact and may experience sleep sensitivities and a need for quieter, calmer environments.
Challenges and Support Strategies
Understanding the HSP trait in infants is not just about recognizing the challenges but also about leveraging the inherent gifts of high sensitivity. Julie Bjelland emphasizes the importance of supportive environments that cater to the needs of sensitive infants, which can prevent the development of anxiety and depression later in life. Conversely, a lack of support can exacerbate these symptoms.
For parents, particularly those who are also highly sensitive, the task is twofold. They must manage their own sensitivities while creating a nurturing space for their children. Julie discusses the significance of balancing and meeting the needs of both mother and child to reduce stress and sensory overload. Strategies such as ensuring downtime for both, recognizing the importance of recovery times after high-stress periods, and engaging in practices like deep breathing can profoundly impact the well-being of both parent and child.
Cultural Shifts and Therapeutic Support
One of the key points Julie makes is the necessity for cultural shifts that allow new mothers, especially those who are highly sensitive, to have adequate “down time.” This downtime is not a luxury but a requirement for HSPs who often need around two hours of alone time each day to function at their best.
Furthermore, Julie stresses the importance of working with therapists who understand the HSP trait and can provide guidance tailored to managing and nurturing this trait in children. Parents need to reduce self-judgment, find supportive communities (“tribes”), and foster environments where they and their children feel understood and valued.
The insights from Julie Bjelland on Dr. Kat’s “Mom and Mind” podcast illuminate the complexities of the HSP trait in infants, offering a blend of personal experience and professional expertise. For highly sensitive parents, understanding that infants can also be HSPs is the first step toward fostering a supportive, empathetic, and understanding environment that respects and nurtures the unique needs of sensitive children. This knowledge not only helps in reducing potential stressors but also aids in cultivating the many gifts that highly sensitive individuals have to offer.
Dr. Kat offers perinatal mental health psychotherapy . consultation and training for the following:
Pregnancy Loss Support
Pregnancy Anxiety
Postpartum Anxiety
Pregnancy Depression
