Cortisol is a hormone made by the adrenal glands that helps the body respond to stress and regulate energy, blood sugar and the sleep-wake cycle. In babies, its daily pattern, higher in the morning and lower at night, develops during the first months.
Key takeaways
- Research suggests the daily cortisol rhythm appears at around 2 to 3 months.
- Short-term rises in cortisol are a normal response to everyday stress.
- Warm, responsive care helps babies recover from stress.
Frequently asked questions
Brief crying with a caring adult nearby is normal; what matters is that babies are comforted and that stress is not constant and severe.