How to Calm an Overstimulated Baby

Around the holidays, life's events can become overwhelming. And your baby might sense that too!

Activities that are easy for adults can be very hard for babies. Grocery shopping, running errands, and doctor visits can be overwhelming. Family gatherings can be especially tough when many people hold the baby. These activities can cause sensory overload for your newborn. 

How can you tell if your baby is overstimulated?

They might be:

• More fussy than usual
• Resisting touch 
• Refusing to nurse
• Tired but can't sleep
• Clenching their fists

How can you calm them down?

What can you do if your little one is screaming and holding them doesn't work? We need to soothe their central nervous system to help them sleep.

One great way to do this is with a baby swaddle. While a swaddle or sleep sack that is too tight might make them feel trapped, the Swaddelini uses gentle compression therapy to soothe them. It's tighter around the chest and arms to give them the feeling of a hug, but plenty loose around the hips to allow them to move.

This means your baby can experience a full body-calming sensation while being able to experience the Moro reflex. That active sleep is crucial for their brain development, so we don't want to limit it.

How can you avoid them becoming overstimulated?

Common ways to help your baby remain grounded are:

• Keep a consistent feeding schedule (try to at least)
• Keep errands as short as possible
• Create space for quiet time
• No screen time
• Leverage nap time for over stimulating activities

It is natural for your baby to become overstimulated. Limiting your own stress can help your baby be less stressed.

Your mental health is your baby's mental health. Sometimes the best thing you can do for your baby is to take care of yourself first. Does that mean making arrangements for the family to watch your baby so you can go for a walk, work out or just get some stuff done? Spend some time discovering how you can best show up for your baby so you can be the best caregiver you can be.