Signs Your Baby Is Highly Sensitive, According to a Child Psychologist

Newsweek

22-06-2025

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A TikTok video of a baby crying during a song from The Little Mermaid has sparked heartwarming discussion online about highly sensitive children.
In the video, Allie, the baby's aunt, filmed the moment her niece swelled with emotion in accordance with the Disney song. Many viewers in the comments speculated that the baby might be experiencing "frisson"—a French term for the physical chills some people get when emotionally moved by music. But could this be something else entirely? Newsweek spoke to Allie, 32, along with a child psychologist to better understand the adorable phenomenon.
Allie said that she has seen her niece, Eleanor, have such a strong response to music has been incredible to witness—and started early.
Photos from Allie's TikTok video of her baby niece.
Photos from Allie's TikTok video of her baby niece.
@alliemorganb/TikTok
"[It] has been so precious because it's such raw emotion coming out that she obviously can't control, and shows what a tender heart she has," Allie explained. "She has been reacting this way to certain songs since she was six months old."
The first time Eleanor showed this emotional response was when her dad was singing Faithfully by Journey around the house. At first, he thought she might be fussy, but after he sat down and continued singing, Eleanor continued to get emotional at certain parts of the song, Allie said.
Eleanor's deep emotional sensitivity to music shouldn't come as too much of a surprise, though—her family is filled with musicians and singers. Allie went on to say that Eleanor is the first grandchild in her family.
"She has such an infectious and happy personality and is so affectionate to those close to her," she said. "So, to see this happy baby get so moved by music is the most heartwarming thing, but not a big surprise considering our family is very into music."
Three Signs Your Baby Might Be Sensitive
While many TikTok commenters suggested that Eleanor might be experiencing "frisson," Dr. Kanchi Wijesekera, a clinical child psychologist and founder of Milika Center for Therapy & Resilience, offered Newsweek a different perspective.
"The term 'frisson' isn't a clinical term," she said. "There is no evidence confirming that infants can experience frisson in the way adults do."
Instead, Dr. Wijesekera believes that Eleanor's emotional response is likely tied to sensory processing and emotional recognition.
"What's likely being observed is a combination of sensory processing and emotional recognition," she explained. She also pointed to Dr. Elaine Aron's research on highly sensitive children. Although Aron's studies focused on toddlers and older children, Dr. Wijesekera said that early emotional reactions to music could be an early indicator of emotional sensitivity in infants.
She explained three signs that your baby might be more emotionally sensitive:
Strong reactions to music or art: "If your baby calms or cries in response to music or expressive faces, it may reflect early emotional attunement. This is not the same as frisson, but it's a sign they're taking in the emotional tone of their environment." Heightened awareness of environment: "Babies who startle easily at loud sounds, track visual stimuli, or seem observant may be more sensitive to sensory and emotional cues." Emotional contagion: "If your baby mirrors your mood or becomes distressed when others are upset, it suggests early empathy, a skill for emotional intelligence."
Dr. Wijesekera also suggests that parents and caregivers can support their baby's emotional sensitivity by creating gentle environments that respect the child's need for calm and soothing stimuli.
While Eleanor might not be experiencing "frisson" in the scientific sense, her reaction is an adorable reminder that emotional sensitivity can emerge very early in life. Allie concluded, "It could be [frisson], or she could just be more sensitive to music than average, but we will keep an eye out for that as she grows up."