Understand & identify the effects of overstimulation in infants

Apr 5

You’re out grabbing a few things from the grocery store when you notice your little one is getting cranky—they’ve reached their limit, and you know you have to check out and get home ASAP before they turn into a pumpkin!

Sound familiar?

It’s common for babies to become overstimulated quickly. While they delight in the sights and sounds of the world around them, there is only so much they can handle before experiencing sensory overload.

The effects of overstimulation in infants can manifest in different ways, depending on your child’s age, temperament, and sensitivity. So, let’s look at the possible warning signs and explore how you can balance your little one’s stimulation needs.

What is overstimulation?

The world is a fascinating place for your little one, and they are constantly learning and exploring new things. In fact, your baby needs stimulation to develop and grow—but it is possible to have too much of a good thing.

Your little one may become overstimulated when their senses are overwhelmed by the environment or activities they engage in. There is a limit to the amount of sensory input your baby can handle, and when they reach the point of overstimulation, they may become distressed and irritable.

Signs of overstimulation in infants

Every child is different, and therefore the effects of overstimulation in infants can vary.

With that said, here are some common signs you may notice:

Being cranky or fussy
Clenching their fists
Wanting to nurse more frequently
Acting scared or anxious
Turning or jerking their head away
Acting tired or sleepy
Wanting to be held or conversely withdrawing from your touch

It’s worth noting that infants may show some of these signs for other reasons, so it’s best to observe your little one’s behavior in context and look for patterns that may suggest overstimulation.

Causes of overstimulation

Overstimulation can be caused by external stimuli like noise and lights, or it can also result from internal stimuli like being tired or teething.

Your little one’s unique temperament and sensory profile will impact what triggers overstimulation, but here are some common causes:

Excessive screen use—The American Academy of Pediatrics (APA) recommends avoiding screen use before the age of two. Phones, iPads, and televisions can cause sensory overload in adults, let alone a baby whose brain is still developing.
Environmental overload—Your little one may become overstimulated in situations where this is too much noise, light, or movement.
Teething—The pain and discomfort caused by teething can reduce your baby’s tolerance to stimuli.
Too many activities—Just like adults, infants can feel frazzled when days are overscheduled with activities. A balance of rest and play is needed to avoid overstimulation.
Disrupted sleep routine—Babies become overtired quickly. Missing a nap or failing to get quality sleep at night can lower your little one’s sensory threshold and make them more susceptible to overstimulation.

How to soothe your little one

If your baby shows signs of overstimulation, try the following strategies to help them calm down.

Find a quiet place—Remove your little one from any noisy or busy environments. Take them somewhere more peaceful, preferably in a darker room with minimal stimuli. This could be their nursery if you’re at home or possibly the car if you are out.
Use soft and gentle movements—Hold your baby and gently rock them to provide comfort. If your little one doesn’t want to be held, try laying them down and gently stroking their head or back.
Implement self-soothing strategies—Consider options such as swaddling and white noise or offering a pacifier to help soothe your little one.

Make sleep a priority

While it’s important for parents to recognize the signs and effects of overstimulation in infants, ideally, we want to prevent our little ones from reaching this state in the first place.

This isn’t always possible, but there are things you can do to help.

Follow your baby’s awake windows
Keep activities and outings short (especially in the first few months)
Implement a consistent sleep routine

Your little one needs to be well-rested to handle the stimulation of the day, so getting quality sleep is the number one priority when preventing overstimulation.

If you would like help establishing a sleep routine, the team at My Sweet Sleeper can create a customized sleep schedule for your baby, and, of course, if you have any other concerns, we’re always here to support you.

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