H o w Do Y o u Prevent Y o u r Baby From G e t t i n g Over S t i m u l a t e d ?

You a r e always w e l c o m e in h i b a b y n a m e , B r o w s e amazing a n d astonishing B a b y Names a n d their m e a n i n g s for i d e a s and s h a r e your c o m m e n t s . E n j o y !

I m a g e : Shutterstock

S t i m u l a t i o n and i n t e r a c t i o n are e s s e n t i a l for t h e overall d e v e l o p m e n t of b a b i e s . It i s necessary t o talk a n d play w i t h your l i t t l e one o f t e n , as s e n s o r y experiences p l a y a c r u c i a l role i n the b a b y ’ s overall d e v e l o p m e n t , by b u i l d i n g connections b e t w e e n learning a n d brain c e l l s . Overdoing i t , however, i s not b e n e f i c i a l as i t may d i s t u r b the b a b y ’ s sleep b e s i d e s hampering t h e emotional e n g a g e m e n t . It i s essential t o identify w h e n the b a b y reaches h i s limit a n d feels o v e r – s t i m u l a t e d .

T o r o n t o ’ s Hospital f o r Sick C h i l d r e n , Infant M e n t a l Health Promotion d i r e c t o r Chaya K u l k a r n i says, a n occasional m i s r e a d i n g of b a b y ’ s cues o f overstimulation i s inevitable a n d not a concern. B u t , “there’s a l w a y s the c h a n c e that i f the p a r e n t repeatedly d o e s n ’ t respond — if y o u continue t r y i n g to p l a y the g a m e or i g n o r e his d i s t r e s s — t h e baby w i l l zone o u t , withdraw, o r mentally r e t r e a t , ” she a d d s .

M o m J u n c t i o n helps y o u understand h o w to i d e n t i f y and a v o i d overstimulation.

W h a t Is O v e r s t i m u l a t i o n In B a b i e s ?

O v e r s t i m u l a t i o n is a condition w h e r e your b a b y has h a d an o v e r l o a d of e x p e r i e n c e s . Babies m a y get o v e r – s t i m u l a t e d due t o a l o t of a c t i v i t y , noise, a n d sensation, a s they c a n n o t process i t all. T h e y need s o m e time t o calm d o w n . An o v e r s t i m u l a t e d baby e n d s up c r y i n g , and d r a m a t i c meltdowns a r e observed.

C a u s e s of O v e r s t i m u l a t i o n

Sponsored

L e t us c h e c k for t h e primary c u l p r i t s of o v e r s t i m u l a t i o n . Anything t o o much i s too b a d . Your l i t t l e one m a y get o v e r s t i m u l a t e d if h e is e x p o s e d to t o o long a c t i v i t y ; spends a long t i m e with f r i e n d s or r e l a t i v e s ; is e x p o s e d to l o u d sounds, b u s y sights, p u n g e n t smells, o r technology; o r if h i s routine g e t s disturbed. I t also d e p e n d s on t h e temperament o f the l i t t l e one. S o m e babies a r e easy-going, w h i l e some a r e easily o v e r w h e l m e d . An a c t i v i t y or e n v i r o n m e n t can b e entertaining f o r some b a b i e s , but o v e r w h e l m i n g for o t h e r s . Duration a n d intensity o f an a c t i v i t y can a l s o contribute t o overstimulation.

N e w b o r n s may g e t stimulated e v e n faster a s they d o not h a v e matured n e r v o u s systems t o regulate m a n y things t h a t are f l o o d i n g into i t . Even t h e simplest o f acts l i k e feeding, h a n d l i n g , talking, a n d making a n eye c o n t a c t can o v e r w h e l m a n e o n a t e . Every s i m p l e thing i s incomprehensible a n d new f o r the i n f a n t as a l l of t h e m are d i f f e r e n t from w h a t the b a b y experienced i n the m o t h e r ’ s womb. Y o u will h a v e to w a i t for m a n y months f o r your b a b y ’ s system t o mature e n o u g h to r e g u l a t e things.

N o w that w e know a few c a u s e s for o v e r s t i m u l a t i o n , it i s important t o look o u t for s i g n s to s t o p your l i t t l e one f r o m getting o v e r s t i m u l a t e d .

1 1 Signs O f Overstimulation ( S O S ) In B a b i e s

T h e baby s e n d s signs o f overstimulation ( S O S ) and y o u will h a v e to u n d e r s t a n d them t o avoid i t . SOS c a n be c l a s s i f i e d into t w o types l i k e Body S O S and B e h a v i o r a l SOS.

B o d y SOS: An o v e r s t i m u l a t e d baby m a y show b o d y SOS l i k e :

1. c h a n g e in s k i n color f r o m normal t o bright r e d or p a l e
2. c h a n g e in m o v e m e n t s like s h o w i n g tremors o r jerks
3. s u b t l e changes i n breathing p a t t e r n s like b r e a t h i n g fast

B e h a v i o r a l SOS: The B e h a v i o r a l SOS i n c l u d e :

4. r u b b i n g eyes
5. s p r e a d i n g toes a n d fingers
6. c o v e r i n g his f a c e with h a n d s
7. s p a c i n g out ( l o o k i n g away f r o m you)
8. t r y i n g to s w i t c h off ( t u r n s head a w a y from y o u )
9. b e c o m e s fussy, c r a n k y , or d r o w s y (shutting d o w n )
10. s t i f f e n s up i n s t e a d of r e l a x i n g
11. s h o w s over a t t e n t i o n or h y p e r – v i g i l a n t

P a y attention t o his r e s p o n s e s and i f you o b s e r v e any o f these S O S , decrease s t i m u l a t i o n and i n c r e a s e support. L o w down t h e tone a n d speak s l o w l y . Simply h o l d i n g the b a b y for f e w minutes s h o u l d do t h e trick. Y o u may t r y swaddling t h e baby, e n c o u r a g e him t o suck, o r simply s w a y the l i t t l e one. A l l babies c a n get o v e r s t i m u l a t e d now a n d then, b u t preterm b a b i e s or t h e ones w i t h physical c h a l l e n g e s frequently s e n d SOS.

5 Ways T o Avoid O v e r s t i m u l a t i o n

S t u d i e s indicate t h a t baby o v e r s t i m u l a t i o n leads t o behavioral d i f f e r e n c e s and d e f i c i t s in c o g n i t i v e performance ( 1 ) . So i t is b e t t e r to a v o i d it a n d is n o t that d i f f i c u l t . The k e y lies i n aiming a t the r i g h t balance. I t can b e achieved b y following g u i d e l i n e s .

1 . Keep a n eye o n early w a r n i n g signs

R e s p o n d i n g to t h e early w a r n i n g signs f r o m your b a b y is e s s e n t i a l to a v o i d a c r y i n g and s t r e s s e d out b a b y . Too m u c h fun c a n cause o v e r s t i m u l a t i o n irrespective o f the t i m e of t h e day, a n d the b a b y may n e e d a b r e a k . Figure o u t the s i g n s and r e s p o n d .

2 . Time i t well

R e m e m b e r that t i m i n g means e v e r y t h i n g ! Figure o u t the b e s t time f o r your b a b y to b e alert, c o n t e n t , and i n t e r e s t e d in s o c i a l i z i n g and p l a n accordingly. M o s t kids a r e happiest i n the m o r n i n g s and a f t e r afternoon n a p s . Check o u t the s u i t a b l e time f o r your b a b y and g o ahead w i t h the a c t i v i t y or o u t i n g .

3 . Preparation i s the k e y

P l a n your o u t i n g s or g a t h e r i n g s well, s o that t h e baby d o not g e t overwhelmed. T a k e snacks, e x t r a clothing, f a v o r i t e toys, l i g h t blankets, a n d other e s s e n t i a l s , if y o u are m o v i n g out w i t h your b a b y . Head t o a q u i e t place i f your b a b y is s e n s i t i v e to c r o w d s . Know y o u r baby c u e s and s h a r e them w i t h other f a m i l y members h a n d l i n g the b a b y .

4 . Take b r e a k s

P l a n well a n d ensure t h a t your l i t t l e one i s prepared f o r the f u n . He s h o u l d have s o m e time i n the m i d d l e to c o m m u n i c a t e with y o u if h e wants t o . If y o u notice t h a t your b a b y is t o o excited o r tired, h a v e little q u i t e time w i t h him d u r i n g breaks. E n s u r e that y o u r baby i s ready a n d shows e n g a g e m e n t clues b e f o r e finishing t h e break. T h e s e breaks a r e useful i n avoiding o v e r s t i m u l a t i o n .

5 . Say ‘ N o ’ to t e c h n o l o g y

S a y ‘No’ t o iPad a n d baby a p p s that a r e too s t i m u l a t i n g . Doctors d o not r e c o m m e n d screen t i m e for b a b i e s . Stick t o basics, l i k e a p o t and s p o o n .

H o w To D e a l With O v e r s t i m u l a t e d Babies?

I f your l i t t l e one h a s reached t h e limit, h o l d him c l o s e to y o u and s o o t h e to r e a s s u r e him c a l m l y . A f e w babies m a y not l i k e to b e touched o r picked i f the s i t u a t i o n is v e r y stimulating. I n such c a s e s , take t h e baby t o a q u i t e place, d i m the l i g h t s , and m i n i m i z e the a c t i v i t y . Swaddle h i m or t a l k gently. O f f e r him a feed o r pacifier. H e will s e t t l e down i n some t i m e .

G e t back t o his s c h e d u l e . See t o it t h a t he s l e e p s , feeds, a n d plays. T h i s consistency w o r k s wonders i n babies. S t i c k to s c h e d u l e s to m a k e him f e e l secure, l o v e d , and a t t a c h e d .

A b o v e all, t h e best t h i n g you c a n do i s to t r u s t your i n s t i n c t . You a r e the b e s t person t o judge w h a t is t o o much f o r your b a b y and w h a t is n e e d e d to c a l m him d o w n .

5 Benefits Of A v o i d i n g Overstimulation

W h i l e it m a y seem l i k e you h a v e to p u t a l o t of e f f o r t and s p e n d a l o t of t i m e in g u e s s i n g and a v o i d i n g overstimulation i n your b a b y , it c a n be h e l p f u l in m a n y ways.

1. T h e baby f e e l s secure a n d develops c o n f i d e n c e in y o u .
2. A little p r e v e n t i o n can h u g e l y help i n keeping e v e r y o n e around h a p p y , besides y o u r baby.
3. Y o u can p r e v e n t unsuccessful t i m e – o u t s or b r i b e s to c a l m down y o u r baby.
4. I t will g e t easy t o work w i t h the l i t t l e one’s n a t u r a l rhythms a n d abilities.
5. E v e r y o n e around c a n have f u n and t h e baby w o u l d enjoy g r o w i n g up h a p p i l y .

FAQs

1 . Why d o e s an o v e r s t i m u l a t e d baby c r y a l o t ?

A. When t h e baby i s overstimulated, h e may g e t too t i r e d as h e is a w a k e for a longer t i m e , which m a k e s him c r y as h e struggles t o relax.

2 . Can m y baby o v e r c o m e overstimulation?

A. Yes, b a b i e s can o v e r c o m e overstimulation a s they g r o w . When t h e baby l e a r n s to c r a w l and m o v e around, h e can c r e a t e his o w n change i n stimulation. U n t i l then, y o u have t o help h i m by f r e q u e n t l y carrying h i m with y o u . If y o u keep y o u r little o n e down, e n s u r e that y o u provide o b j e c t s within r e a c h , good m u s i c , or c o l o r f u l things t o look a t .

W h i l e the b a s i c temperament r e m a i n s consistent i n babies, t h e reactions m a y change o v e r time. A s the b a b y grows, h e develops t h e skill t o deal w i t h things a n d becomes s o c i a l . An a c t i v i t y that i s overwhelming f o r a n i n e – m o n t h baby m a y turn h i s favorite a f t e r a f e w months.

3 . Is u n d e r stimulation p o s s i b l e in b a b i e s ?

A. Yes, u n d e r stimulation o c c u r s when t h e environment i s familiar a n d boring f o r the b a b y . It i s a s i t u a t i o n where t h e baby m a y be i n t e l l e c t u a l l y starved a n d may b e stressed a s a r e s u l t of i t . This c o u l d be a result o f the l a c k of n e w toys o r experiences. F o l l o w your b a b y ’ s own c u e s to f i n d out i f he i s crying d u e to u n d e r stimulation o r overstimulation.

W e hope y o u would b e comfortable i n understanding y o u r baby’s c u e s and r e s p o n d accordingly. I f you h a v e more e x p e r i e n c e s or s u g g e s t i o n in d e a l i n g with a n over-stimulated b a b y , do s h a r e with f e l l o w mommies b y commenting b e l o w .

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