How Much Stimulation is Too Much for Babies and Toddlers?

Parents often wonder if they are providing enough experiences and activities for their babies and toddlers or if they are going to the other extreme and providing too much. Either extreme has its repercussions, and the secret is to find the perfect balance.

Overstimulation occurs when a child is swamped by more noise, activity, sensations and experiences than he or she can handle. For example, an infant may become very upset at a large gathering where there are lots of talking, laughter, and other noise. Where multiple people are picking him up, carrying him around, and otherwise interacting with him. The sites, sounds and various feelings and sensations all overwhelm him. A toddler may get cranky and throw a fit after an exciting birthday party where lots of kids are running around, screaming and laughing. Or after a busy day of preschool, baseball practice and running errands with mom or dad.

Overstimulated newborns and babies may become cranky and tired, leading them to cry more. Their movements may become jerky or agitated, she may clench her fists or start to wave her arms around and kick her legs. She may turn her head away from you when you try to talk to her, or begin to space out. Other signs of overstimulation can include her color changing (normal skin color to pale or bright red) and even changes in her breathing (from slow and regular to fast and choppy). She may not be able to tell you in words, but she will definitely show you!

Toddlers who are overstimulated will also get tired and cranky. They may become hard to manage, irritable and throw a tantrum. He may also begin avoiding eye contact when you talk to him, or try to hide or cover his eyes, or he may even go and hide himself. Other signs include irrational behavior (more so than is usual), crying extra hard and long, and possibly even having a total meltdown.

When this happens, both babies and toddlers need quiet time and a familiar, calm environment. Take them to another room, rock them, talk to them in calm, quiet voice, play soothing music, or even sing to them quietly. Some infants do well if you swaddle them, while some toddlers may respond to a quiet room and a glass of milk. You as a parent will know what works best for your child.

Under-stimulation is the direct opposite of overstimulation. it’s basically when there is not enough going on in a child’s environment to capture their attention, keep them engaged and from being bored. Just like with overstimulation, babies and toddlers will show signs of under-stimulation, and often those signs are expressed in similar ways. Under-stimulated babies will often cry just as they do when overstimulated. Under-stimulated toddlers will do what it takes to get their arousal level back into a more manageable, temperate range. That bickering that occurs on long road trips when toddlers are fastened in their car seat with nothing to do? A typical reaction to under-stimulation.

The solution to under-stimulation? Provide enough activity and experiences to keep your child interested and engaged during appropriate times of the day. Interact with your baby by singing songs, reading books, going on walks together, and playing with age appropriate toys. Introduce her to new things and experiences. Consider an interactive game as opposed to letting your toddler sit in front of the television for hours at a time. Provide enough (not too many, though) toys, books and activities so your toddler has plenty of choices in order to prevent boredom from occurring throughout the day. Plan play dates with other children. After all, young children are always learning through their environment.

Baby’s Brilliant provides a range of experiences that can work for both the overstimulated and the under-stimulated child. Soothing and calming classical music can ease an agitated infant, while movies filled with relaxing scenes, meditative movement, and soft colors (accompanied by peaceful music) can help the overstimulated child relax. Likewise, more upbeat songs and videos filled with bright colors and engaging visuals can introduce your baby to an entire world of new experiences, while toddlers can sing along and learn their letters, numbers, colors and even some foreign languages!

As a parent you will learn to recognize what works for your child and how to provide that perfect balance.