Everything about the Scorpio sun sign symbolizes depth, from their thoughts to their feelings. “They are natural researchers, detectives and are very deep,” explains O’Connell. It’s because of their innate intensity that it’s important to know how to handle them. “Scorpio children emotions intensely and are more likely than any other sign to process their emotions in private,” says DeFranco. “It is crucial for Scorpio children to be allowed to feel their emotions.” One way to achieve this is by teaching your child that all emotions are okay, so that your little Scorpion doesn’t curl up and retreat into themselves. (You can tell something is wrong when your Scorpio child doesn’t eat.) You can avoid them bottling up their emotions by leading by example and showing them how parents, too, process their emotions in appropriate ways.

You might not think that kids could have problems trusting people, but this can be the case for a Scorpio baby. “Scorpio is the sign most likely to deal with trust issues,” explains DeFranco. “This means parents of Scorpio children need to learn to walk the tightrope between encouraging their child to share their feelings and respecting their child’s privacy.” To handle this, you can teach your child some self-soothing techniques to help them cope and process their emotions.

Sure, every kid wants to be covered in kisses, but none so much as a sweet little Scorpio baby. Since they experience emotions in such a big way, it stands to reason that they also want all that love and affection returned to them, too. “Physical affection is important for Scorpio children,” says DeFranco. “Since they are the sign most likely to experience intense emotions and the sign most likely to bottle up these emotions, physical affection is a positive way to make them feel safe and loved while respecting their right to privacy.” So whether they get a good grade in school or eat most of their veggies, slather on the sloppy kisses so your scorpion feels self-assured and loved.

Blame it on their stinger, but Scorpio likes to dig deep to find out the real meaning behind, well, everything. From conversations on the meaning of life to how birds fly, to why you made lasagna for dinner, a Scorpio child will never take anything for granted. “These investigators have an incredible ability to pierce the surface and see beyond face value,” Georgia Marcantoni, an evolutionary astrologer, tells Romper. “They love a good mystery so allow them to explore their intense curiosity of the hidden and magical.”

Well, when your zodiac symbol is a scorpion, it makes sense that people might make inaccurate perceptions about you. And so it is with sweet little Scorpio babies, whose stinger isn’t as strong as some might think. “Scorpio children can seem brooding, quiet and/or pensive,” says DeFranco. “They are sweet and extremely caring by nature, and it is super important for their parents to cultivate an environment where their little Scorpions feel comfortable exposing the softer sides of their nature.” Unlike what they might have been told, Scorpio children need to know that caring is absolutely OK, and that their intense ability to care is among one of their greatest assets. “They are a ride or die sign,” O’Connell says, summing up the good and the bad of Scorpio babies. Earn their trust, and you’ve got it for life.

While all the other babies in the hospital nursery might be snoozing or screaming, it’s likely that the Scorpio baby will be wide awake, giving everything a good once-over. “Scorpio babies may have an intense stare,” Stephanie Gailing, an astrologer and author of The Astrological Self-Care Journal. “It’s like they come into life already sussing out their environment.” It’s nothing to be concerned about, but just know that your little Scorpio will always be sizing up the situation — and giving you their opinion.

As part of their reputation for being difficult, Scorpios sometimes test their parents and respond to or view things in extremes. However, says O’Connell, “it mostly comes from a place of making sure you love is unconditional. That’s how a scorpio is — they are a ride or die sign.” How can you help your Scorpio child be their best self? “Help them open up, learn healthy boundaries and that vulnerability equals strength,” O’Connell advises.

Handle your sweet, old-soul Scorpio baby with care, though, and that investment will pay off tenfold. “Engage with them and be as honest as you are comfortable with,” O’Connell advises. “Be a part of their discovery process. They can be afraid of the boogyman or monsters under the bed. They may even creep you out with some of the intuitive or odd things they can say — they’re old souls. They can be sensitive and very attached to people and things. It’s important to not punish them without taking the time to explain why they're being punished. Take a moment to remind them you love them and you will be there still even when you are mad.” Bottom line, showering them with obvious, unconditional love is the way to go. And that’s true for just about any child, not just Scorpio babies.