It’s You and Me Baby

Our world is filled with constant forms of sensory stimuli.  Ads are everywhere.  Cell phone chimes ring.  TVs are on in the backround.  It’s difficult these days to live where there is little media or few communication devices.  You may not be able to avoid everything but you can take steps to help your baby not get overstimulated by it all.  According to pediatric expert Dr. T. Berry Brazelton, an infant has an individual threshold for stimuli which can be used for organization and learning.  Stimulation which exceeds this threshold overloads the infant and sets up defenses which are likely to be costly to future development.  Some things you can do are as follows:  1)  Limit TV time–for everyone in the house.  Don’t have it on in the background.  Decide which shows are important and turn it off all other times.  Babies do not need TV.  Baby DVDs and shows are abundant but no studies have shown that they are actually good for babies.  2)  Turn off your phone.  You don’t have to be accessible to everyone all the time.  Callers can leave a message when you are having quiet play time or reading time with your baby (reading is even good for young infants–point to the pictures and name them).  Babies enjoy the sound of your voice and they learn about their native language.  3)  Protect sleep times and avoid car naps–that baby gym class or play group is not more important than a good nap.  Sleep helps brain development.  It makes for a much happier child who can gain so much more from activities and social interaction when well-rested.  4)  Consider wearing your baby.  Wearing your child in a fabric infant sling or carrier close to mom, dad, or another caregiver helps him or her feel safe and secure.  Children can explore their environment visually from your level.  This can help them from feeling overwhelmed.

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