Babies are ‘programmed’ (by their DNA) to be cute and attention grabbing, longing for interaction with other people. This trait of theirs helps them to survive, as they need the care and attention of parents, and it also helps them learn the basics of socialising.
How did that saying go… “too much of a good thing is bad”? Babies need a stimulating environment for them to play and explore in, as it’ll help them grow. However, going overboard with the stimulation can lead to baby getting overwhelmed by the sights, sounds, smells, and other sensations that are around them.
They won’t be able to cope with or process all the things that are happening, and I’m pretty sure that we’ve experienced that ourselves at some point in our lives! It’s that sense of being lost and not knowing what to focus your attention on.
Overstimulated babies need some quiet time and a peaceful environment in order to cool off and be alone for a while!
How to Avoid Overstimulating Baby
The thing is with babies is that they’re very cute and bubbly, but they’re not the best when it comes to communication. They’ve got a limited set of tools to work with – using their eyes to look at you, crying for attention, turning their heads, and using their tiny hands to make motions. So the same action could mean multiple things, depending on the situation!
Playing with baby is always fun, but sometimes it’s more fun for us than it is for them – no matter how dependent they are on us. Think of it like this: you’ve got a million things to do at work, but your colleagues are pulling you in all directions, your office and mobile phones are ringing, and you’ve got a last minute meeting coming up in 5 minutes.
So it’s important for us to be able to read the signs of overstimulation, as well as the ones that are leading towards it.
Signs of overstimulation in baby
When should you stop stimulation?
Toning down on stimulation
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