How do I relax my overstimulated baby?

If you've got an overstimulated baby on your hands, there are some steps you can take to calm them down.
  1. Remove them from the situation. ...
  2. Swaddle your baby. ...
  3. Soothe them with white noise. ...
  4. Hold your baby, but be prepared to give them space.


How do you get an overstimulated baby to sleep?

Here are some strategies:
  1. Swaddle your baby (stop swaddling once baby can roll), even if they fight it, which many tired babies will.
  2. Once they're swaddled, hold them tightly against your chest.
  3. Breastfeed or give your baby a bottle. ...
  4. Gently and slowly rock or bounce your baby and put them down drowsy but still awake.


Why is my baby easily overstimulated?

In reality, babies can get overstimulated easily if there is too much sensory input. Sights, sounds, smells, even activity can be too much for their little brains to handle.


What helps stop overstimulation?

How can you overcome this experience?
  • Try to limit your screen time. Emphasis on the word try. ...
  • Find your safe space. And be sure that it's quiet. ...
  • Listen to your own favourite playlist, podcast, or audiobook. ...
  • Set boundaries with others and ask for some quiet space alone. ...
  • Mindfulness.


Can overstimulation cause baby not to sleep?

An overstimulated baby's brain releases cortisol (the stress hormone), making it difficult to initiate and maintain sleep … especially because with each release it takes about 24 hours to cycle out of the system. It can even cause extra night wakings, early mornings, and short naps.


Signs of an Overtired Baby and Tips to Soothe Her



How do I know if my baby is over stimulated?

Signs of overstimulation in infants and toddlers
  1. If your newborn is overstimulated, you may see them:
  2. Appear limp with glassy eyes.
  3. Change colors and become red or splotchy.
  4. Cover their eyes or face.
  5. Cry excessively.
  6. Grimace.
  7. Turn their head away.
  8. Wave or kick arms and legs in an agitated way.


Can overstimulation harm a baby?

Babies who are overstimulated for long periods have continuously high levels of these stress hormones flowing through their brains and research tells us that they are at risk of ongoing emotional and developmental difficulties.

What triggers overstimulation?

Sound: Loud sounds like music or fireworks or exposure to multiple conversations at once can be overstimulating. Taste: Certain flavors, temperatures, or textures can lead to sensory overload. Touch: Any touch that's too light, firm, or scratchy — or sudden or unexpected — can trigger overstimulation.


How can moms help with overstimulation?

8 Ways to Cope with Sensory Overload
  1. #1 Know your triggers. Certain sounds, sights, smells, or textures can trigger sensory overload easier than others. ...
  2. #2 Create a routine. ...
  3. #3 Schedule alone time. ...
  4. #4 Wake up before your family. ...
  5. #5 Enjoy quiet time. ...
  6. #6 Draw boundaries. ...
  7. #7 Prioritize sleep. ...
  8. #8 Get outside.


What does sensory overload look like?

A sensory overload may often trigger agitation, irritability, or violent responses (attacking the nearby person, shouting, throwing things) in some people. Sensory overload is when the brain is not able to process the sensory information taken in by the five senses: smell, taste, hearing, sight, and touch.

How do I stop being an overstimulated mother?

What Can You Do To Combat Overstimulation & Sensory Overload in Motherhood?
  1. Quit Multitasking. ...
  2. Schedule in Quiet Time. ...
  3. Have Touch Breaks. ...
  4. Use Technology For Kids.
  5. Use Noise Cancelling Earplugs. ...
  6. Practice Pre-Emptive Self Care. ...
  7. Put Down Your Phone. ...
  8. Open Up a Conversation In Your Home About It.


How do you self soothe overstimulated?

How to Regain Calm When You're Overwhelmed
  1. If possible, remove yourself from the situation. Listen to your instincts and remove yourself from whatever situation is causing you to become overwhelmed. ...
  2. Do box breathing. ...
  3. Get outside. ...
  4. Read a book. ...
  5. Focus on your body. ...
  6. Take a bath. ...
  7. Listen to music. ...
  8. Stay off social media.


What does mom burnout feel like?

What Is Mom Burnout? Moms experiencing mom burnout often report feeling intense exhaustion and disengagement or depersonalization related to parenting, such as simply “going through the motions,” rather than feeling present or engaged with their children's lives.

How long does overstimulation last?

“Overstimulation occurs when a baby or child experiences more stimuli than they can handle or are used to,” explains Dr. Kevin Kathrotia, a neonatologist and pediatrician. According to Kathrotia, overstimulation in babies occurs fairly often. “It's most common from about 2 weeks to 3 to 4 months old,” he explains.


What happens when a child is overstimulated?

While particular symptoms of overstimulation can vary from child to child, there are some typical signs including crying, crankiness, tantrums, and even over-the-top meltdowns. Kids also may get more hyper, aggressive, or excited when they are overstimulated.

What is overstimulated mom?

Do you ever feel yourself snapping at your kids or partner when you're not even angry, you're just overwhelmed. That's called overstimulation and it happens when your brain has 50 tabs open and trying to move back and forth is both frustrating and overwhelming.

Why is Cocomelon overstimulating?

However, many believe Cocomelon takes this practice to an extreme. With quick scenes (lasting no more than 2 seconds), fast camera movements, dancing subtitles, and several sound effects playing at once (music, talking, laughing), Cocomelon could be overstimulating for some children.


What does an overtired baby look like?

A tired infant may rub their eyes and face or tug at their ears. Becoming clingy. Your baby may hold on to you determinedly and insist that you take care of them. Whimpering.

How can I calm my baby's nervous system?

You can really change your baby's mood and demeanor by resetting the nervous system, which will, in turn, make both yours and your baby's lives easier. To do so, bring your baby to your chest, put a hand flat on the head, and engage in deep breathing. It is important that you do not make any noise and don't move.

What is depleted mother syndrome?

We're depleted Over time, mothers become physically, emotionally and mentally drained of nutrients, strength and vitality. Psychologist Rick Hanson coined the phrase “depleted mother syndrome” and emphasizes how important it is to regain the strength we need to be there for ourselves and to manage our care-giving role.


Why am I so frustrated with my baby?

As Psychology Today noted, frustration erupts whenever you feel out of control, and though people don't talk about it much, feeling frustrated with your kids is normal. In fact, children don't like chaos either. Babies thrive on a schedule, and older kids crave stability.

What does mom rage look like?

Cue the cabinet slamming, yelling, or stomping around the room as you let your partner know just how upset you are. Because that's the thing about mom rage: It's a kind of seething — but also surprising — rage that can feel very difficult to control. And it can be set off by the smallest of things.

What happens during sensory overload?

Sensory overload is when your five senses—light, sound, taste, touch, and smell—take in more information that your brain can process. Overwhelmed by all the input, the brain responds as it would to a life-threatening situation and enters fight, flight, or freeze mode.


What is overstimulated autism?

What is Overstimulation? Overstimulation (OS) occurs when there is “too much” of some external stimulus or stimuli for a person's brain to process and integrate effectively. This leads to an unpleasant sensation of being flooded and an impulse to escape the stimulus – or, failing that, to cry or scream or thrash about.

Why does sensory overload happen?

Sensory overload occurs when the brain struggles to interpret, prioritize, or otherwise process sensory inputs. It then communicates to the body that it is time to escape these sensory inputs. This message causes feelings of discomfort and panic.