**\#️⃣ Tags:** #Experiment #Developmental #Relational --- This experiment taps into the pre-verbal wisdom and [[The way we experience ourselves is through the Felt Sense|Felt Sense]] of your body through a dialogue with yourself as a baby to help you understand how you were attuned to (or not attuned to) when you were a little baby. This understanding then offers insight into how you might be taking care of yourself (or not taking care of yourself) today, because [[How we care for ourselves now speaks to the way we were cared for as babies]]. Before starting this experiment, pick a time when you're not feeling stressed or rushed, where you won't be interrupted, and where you're in the mood for self-exploration. It can bring up some strong emotions, so if you find you're feeling overwhelmed that's okay—take it nice and slow or simply stop the experiment. The mind will naturally want to wander away from the body and if that happens, that's okay too—just consciously bring yourself back to your body and your breath. You'll need to take in the instructions before you begin as you'll be in a mindful state while you connect in with yourself. # Instructions 1. Find a quiet, peaceful place where you won't be interrupted. 2. Get into a position that you think was yours as a baby. You might curl up or lie on your stomach or back. Feel into what feels right for you. 3. Slowly shift from being in the thinking mind to feeling in your body. Do this by consciously belly breathing—nice deep breaths expanding the belly to breath in, and contracting the belly to breath out. Allow yourself to become present in the body. 4. Start becoming aware of yourself as a baby. Feel into what it was like for you to be a baby and to grow up in the environment you did. It might seem like you can't remember what being a baby was like, and for your mind that might be true, but your body still holds onto these memories. 5. Imagine a beautiful baby who is only about six weeks old. Super tiny. Take in the innocence and delicateness of this baby, and notice how you would do almost anything to protect this baby. 6. Now feel into what it would've been like for you to be this innocent and delicate baby. This is your baby self, and it speaks to you through the body. 7. Imagine yourself as a baby wimpering and fussing as you reach out for connection and help because something is the matter. You are trying to get your needs met. Start by asking this baby "what can I do for you?" or "what do you need me to know?" and then listen deeply. 8. Start a back and forth dialogue with yourself and your body as a baby, just like you would in [[Parts Work]]. As the dialogue unfolds, notice what emotions or sensations arise in your body. Pay attention to any resistance, tenderness, frustration, or protectiveness that emerges. These feelings are insights into your relationship with your own needs and sensitivities. 9. Notice especially how you respond as the caretaker. Do you feel impatient with your baby self's needs? Do you feel overwhelmed? Do you want to fix everything immediately? Or do you feel naturally attuned and responsive? Your instinctive response mirrors how you typically treat your own body's signals and needs. 10. When the dialogue feels complete, thank your baby self and slowly bring your awareness back to the present moment. Take a few deep breaths and notice how your body feels now. After you complete this experiment, reflect on the following: - What did your infant self need from you? - How did you respond to those needs—with attunement, dismissal, or anxiety? - What feelings arose in you as you tried to meet those needs? - Did you notice any patterns that mirror how you typically respond to your body's signals today? Some people might discover they have strong resistance to the exercise itself—perhaps feeling it's silly or useless. That's okay, because that information might point to how their sensitivity was treated in childhood. People with secure [[Attachment]] histories will likely find they can easily connect with and respond to their infant self with tenderness. Those whose sensitivity was treated as problematic or those with [[Developmental Trauma]] may experience difficulty bringing up an image, disconnection from the exercise, or overwhelming feelings. All of this is okay. Whatever happens in this experiment is okay. If you are finding this difficult or not getting much back, don't worry. The purpose is not fix or change anything, rather it is to expand your understanding and awareness. Whatever emerges, even if it is resistance, disconnection, blankness or confusion, still provides insight into your relationship with your baby and body self. If you're feeling like you're not connecting in well, you can always repeat this exercise over time. Be gentle and kind to yourself, and go slow.