This might be not helpful at all, since I am childlike in some ways but do not relate to an inner child concept, for this reason (just me): as adults we 'think' of what we know about children, from knowing children, and the qualities they usually possess: innocence, etc.
But less so from developmental psychology as remembering some things about being a child: children also don't fret or analyze in the same way adults do; often come up with ideas (even if they are ridiculous to an adult) to solve problems, and what have you. Just like a drowning small child rarely makes a noise.
So just wondering, if thinking of an 'inner child's' needs, has more to do with the back-perspective of what the person needed as a child, rather than a child's actual response? Children rarely recognize what they need, and therefore think what they get is 'normal' or 'average'. Because, too, many childlike characteristics or emotions are not exclusive to children, rather they are exclusive to being human: fear, overwhelm, terror, feelings of powerlessness, etc. They are simply needs (or obstacles). All adults still need comfort, some level of confidence, the feelings of protection, or help (ideally). To feel vulnerable does not mean to feel you are a child- it means to feel vulnerable. If you were a vulnerable child, you might not realize it, nor would know what you need to seek out to remedy it, nor would seek out 'behaviours' from adults- or at least not name them. You'd simply 'do'/ go/ whatever, where you felt better, or less scared etc. It is as adults we assign far more complex meaning.
It may be more that you are aware of the emotional scope you have has a human being- which is normal, and lasts a lifetime. More like recognizing children have adult feelings, not vice versa.
Just a thought.. ignore if useless.
