Since having my second baby a number of people have commented on how placid, content and settled he is and, similarly, many have commented on how this is a reflection of how I am with him.
Whilst it's still early days (he's only 9 weeks old), I'm inclined to agree that my parenting approach is definitely calmer and more relaxed this time.
I know what I'm doing, understand his tired, hungry and unsettled cues and know that I survived the baby days of number one.
But does this really impact on a baby and their personality?
Mum to one, Carly Shelmerdine, thinks that it does and believes that her calm parenting is reflected in her daughter's mild temperament.
"Obviously every baby or child has their own personality traits, but I do think that the way a parent acts around their child is a big factor in influencing this. Plus, everyone knows that they copy what we do," she says.
"The only time that Hope has ever really been unsettled was when my partner, Clint, was overseas for four weeks and I was really missing him and was very upset. I definitely think she picked up on this.
As soon as he came home she was settled again and started sleeping longer stretches at night."
Nicole Thomson-Pride agrees that the way we parent plays a big part in shaping our child's temperament. But, she also knows that science is involved.
"I think personality is part environment, part genetic," she says. "My son definitely doesn't have an anxious personality because I've always been really conscious of how my reactions and behaviours shape his."
Thomson adds that, because of her calm and patient nature, she rarely gets to the point of frustration with her son. As a result of this he is calm around her in response.
"I've noticed him negatively answer or behave when other people have become frustrated with him and raised their voice," says Thomson. "So, in my experience, there is a correlation between your mood and behaviour and that of a child."
Psychotherapist, Dr Karen Phillip, says that a baby's temperament is predetermined to a certain extent whilst in utero as they react to everything including loudness, aggression, conflict, quiet, stress and fear.
"A relaxed, happy mother is far more likely to have a relaxed, happy baby," says Phillip. "Likewise, the stress and confidence of the mother in the early days can also affect the baby and how well they settle."
Phillip points out that babies are not generally born unhappy, aggressive or angry, but rather become this way from the environment they develop in.
"Babies are born with a clean white slate, they do not know fear, hurt or sadness. They only understand discomfort, pain or hunger," she says. "If we really want our baby to develop, the best possible way is to provide them with a calm, happy, nurturing home with love, kindness, understanding and acceptance."
"If the environment we raise our baby in is calm, settled and happy, the baby gravitates toward this. If the environment is conflictual, stressed or unsettled, the baby will reflect this."
But what about those babies that are unsettled from birth?
"Often this is a reflection of what was going on in the life of the mother while pregnant and the environment the baby is born into," explains Phillip. "Their little personality of course does come into play but, unless a child is suffering medically with colic, wind or similar, they should be able to be settled easily."
An exception to this is where there's tension, stress or conflict within the home or the mother is scared and lacks either ability or confidence.
In this situation Phillip offers the following tips;
- Obtain assistance and support as soon as possible. A mother needs to be in control of her self to enable her to do the demanding job of raising and caring for her baby.
- Seek counselling.
- Enjoy some quiet times and ensure you allow yourself recharge time to stop, relax or unwind.
- Play soft music as a break from the daily grind.
"If we can do our best to have mum feel rested, supported and loved, the baby will respond in the same way," Phillip concludes.