Overstimulation is a situation in which a child is experiencing more sensations, noises and input than he is able to handle. When a baby is experiencing this sort of, negative emotions arise, such as anxiety, fear, anger,

Signs that a baby is overstimulated:

• Turning his head away.
• Seeming upset or tired (fussing, yawning).
• Crying incessantly.
• Falling asleep unexpectedly.
• Waving arms, kicking, clenching fists.

What can cause overstimulation? 

• Exposure to intense stimuli, such as loud noises or strong visual stimuli.
• Being moved from one person to another.
• Being in a busy environment or somewhere unfamiliar.

What can you do to soothe an overstimulated baby?

• Change the environment to make it calmer and quieter.
• Make sure the visual stimuli aren’t too intense (soothing colors).
• Talk quietly, using a soft tone.
• Some babies find hugging or rocking soothing (but not all).
• Reduce the level of stimulation by making the room quieter or darker.
• Reduce the number of toys your baby is looking at or playing with.

Finding the right level of stimulation with Tiny Love’s Boho Chic Collection

Your baby needs a level of stimulation that is tailored to suit her particular needs and preferences. This objective is easier to achieve with baby products that feature a calm design and soothing color scheme, and that allow you to moderate and adjust the level of stimulation your little one is exposed to. Here is an example of how you can adjust your little one’s playing environment while playing in a baby gym, such as the Boho Chic Luxe Developmental Gymini:

• First, make sure that your baby is comfortable and nothing is bothering her (that her diaper is clean, clothes aren’t too tight, that she isn’t too hot/cold).
• Show your baby two Gymini toys and see how she reacts.
• If she signals that she is uncomfortable, remove one toy and see if that has any impact. You can also move the toys further apart from one another, remove more toys or turn the characters around to face away from baby.
• If your child isn’t responding to the toys or seems uninterested, try adding more toys or using the musical sloth toy to play gentle melodies. You can also bring the hanging toys closer together, swap their positions or add more toys to the gym.

Unlike adults, who can organize and control the stimulation in their environment and adjust it to suit their preferences, babies are totally dependent on the environment we place them in.

The effect of ongoing overstimulation

The occasional overstimulation has no long-term effect, but constant overstimulation will stress baby and have a physical, cognitive and emotional impact on development. Unlike adults, who can organize and control the stimulation in their environment and adjust it to suit their preferences, babies are totally dependent on the environment we place them in. As a result, it is our responsibility as caregivers to learn to read our children’s cues in order to help us create the right kind of environment for them.

Boho Chic Collection: Peaceful Development, Natural Style

Tiny Love’s Boho Chic Collection’s all-natural design, soothing colors and soft fabrics help you create a well-regulated environment for your little one. With a variety of developmental activities to choose from, the Boho Chic Luxe Developmental Gymini, Boho Chic Luxe Musical Mobile and the Boho Chic 2-in-1 Rocker can help you find the right balance for your baby.

To learn more about overstimulation, take a look at our more detailed article: Understanding Overstimulation – How to Balance your Baby's Environment