What Infant Temperament Types Can Tell You About Your Child

An adult’s personality is thought to be shaped at least somewhat by external influences. However, an infant has had little exposure so far to external factors that could affect their personality—and yet most parents and caregivers report noticing certain differences between one baby and another in terms of how they respond to their environment. These are thought to be the result of temperament, or innate traits that may influence how an individual reacts to and engages with their surroundings. 

As an individual grows and develops, they become increasingly able to control these responses. However, since infants can’t yet control their behaviors, their natural temperament may be responsible for everything from how predictable their habits are to how sensitive they are to stimulation. It can be helpful for parents and caregivers to become familiar with the basics of infant temperament in order to better understand their child and adjust their parenting methods as needed.

What is temperament, and what determines it?

In the context of child development, temperament refers to the way a baby responds to the world around them in terms of their behaviors and emotions. So where does temperament come from?

The nine traits of infant temperament

In 1956, researchers Stella Chess and Alexander Thomas proposed nine key traits or components of temperament that may be used to describe the largely innate behaviors of an individual child. Understanding these may help parents and caregivers gain a general sense of an infant’s behaviors, preferences, and habits so they can better support them as they grow. These traits include:

1. Activity. An infant’s activity level typically refers to their tendency toward either frequent physical movement or stillness. For example, a child who usually squirms or kicks while being changed or dressed might have a high activity level.
2. Intensity. This trait refers to the intensity of a child’s behaviors and responses. For example, a baby with an intense temperament might show stronger reactions to discomfort or distress than a baby with a more relaxed temperament.
3. Sensitivity. This term describes how sensitive an infant is to physical sensations, such as loud noises and bright lights. Sensitive babies might need more subdued or relaxing environments in order to be comfortable, while a less sensitive baby might enjoy or not be bothered by more sensory stimulation. 
4. Distractibility. This trait refers to how easy it is to distract a child from their current task or object of attention. If a child has low distractibility, they might have higher levels of sustained focus and less susceptibility to outside interruptions.
5. Adaptability. An infant’s adaptability refers to how much time it takes for them to adjust to change. If a child is slow to warm up to new situations, locations, or people, they may have a lower level of adaptability and need more time to adjust to such transitions.
6. Mood/disposition. Mood refers to the way a baby views and reacts to the world, people, and situations they encounter. An infant or toddler might have a mood that’s predominantly bubbly and extroverted or more reserved and quiet, for instance.
7. Persistence. This temperament trait describes the extent to which a baby or toddler persists with their tasks when they encounter challenges. If a child easily gets frustrated when they face an obstacle, they might have a lower level of persistence. 
8. Initial reaction. Similarly, to adaptability, initial reaction describes a child’s relationship to change. This trait could range from embracing and even seeking out new situations to being initially cautious of or avoiding them.
9. Regularity/rhythmicity. Regularity refers to a child’s tendency to follow predictable patterns, especially when it comes to biological functions such as eating and sleeping. If a baby gets hungry at around the same time each day, they might have a higher level of regularity. 

The value of understanding your baby’s temperament

Temperament first emerges during infancy, continuing into middle childhood and even adulthood. As a child grows up, there will be more opportunities for the outside world to influence their personality—but it seems that temperament usually remains a strong factor, nevertheless. For instance, consider a 2020 study suggesting that “infants with higher levels of behavioral inhibition” grew up to become “more reserved and introverted adults.”

A baby’s response to different stimuli and situations can vary based on their temperament. As a result, parents and caregivers may benefit from getting familiar with their child’s temperament and adjusting their parenting style accordingly. This may allow them to respond more effectively to any behavioral problems and better meet the child’s needs now and as they develop. For example, if a child has a highly distractible temperament, it may be possible to distract them from crying by diverting their attention to something else. Or, if a child has a low-adaptability temperament, it may be helpful to introduce changes to routine more gradually.

You don’t have to face parenting challenges alone

Get support from a licensed therapist

Seeking parenting support in therapy

Navigating life with a newborn has its challenges, including when it comes to understanding their unique temperament. For a child who is very sensitive, intense, or irregular with their rhythms, for instance, there may be increased potential for difficulties, frustration, or stress. When it comes to managing these or other parenting stressors, it can be helpful to have a source of outside emotional support. A licensed therapist can help you address parenting challenges as they emerge, offer you a safe place to express your emotions or frustrations, and develop healthy coping skills for when obstacles arise.

However, regularly traveling to an office for in-person therapy may not always be a practical option—especially for those who are juggling the many responsibilities related to raising a child. Online therapy through a platform like BetterHelp may represent a more feasible and convenient alternative because it allows you to attend sessions with a licensed therapist virtually from wherever is most convenient for you. Plus, a growing body of research indicates the potential effectiveness of online therapy. For example, consider a 2020 study that suggests that virtual therapy can be an affordable, convenient alternative to in-person sessions and may offer comparable outcomes.