Babies are wonderful bundles of joy that bring happiness and unconditional love to all families. As cute as they are, they are a lot of work. All babies are different, some are easy to take care of and some take a lot of time for things like feeding and sleeping. Being unable to communicate, when something is uncomfortable, they cry and it is upto the parent to understand what is wrong. May be they are hungry, they need to be burped or they are overstimulated.

Understanding the signs of overstimulation in babies is crucial for providing appropriate care and support. When babies become overwhelmed by sensory input, they may exhibit various behaviors and expressions that indicate their discomfort. Recognizing these signs and implementing effective soothing techniques can help to alleviate stress and promote a sense of calm and well-being in young children.

Signs of an overstimulated baby

By understanding these cues and implementing appropriate interventions, caregivers can create a supportive and nurturing environment for their infants, fostering healthy development and emotional well-being.

Fussiness or crying

Babies may become fussy or cry when they are overwhelmed by sensory input. This can be a sign that they are feeling overstimulated and need a break from the environment. To soothe a fussy baby, it is important to reduce sensory stimuli and provide a calm, peaceful atmosphere. This may involve dimming the lights, reducing noise levels, or moving to a quieter area. Additionally, offering physical comfort, such as holding your baby close, providing a pacifier, or swaddling them, can help to soothe and reassure them.

Overwhelmed Expression

When babies are feeling overwhelmed, they may exhibit facial expressions such as wide eyes, furrowed brows, or a tense jaw. These expressions are visual cues that indicate they are struggling to process the sensory input they are receiving. To help soothe an overwhelmed baby, it is important to create a calm environment and offer gentle comfort. Reducing sensory stimuli and speaking in a soft, soothing voice can help to alleviate their discomfort and promote relaxation.

Difficulty Sleeping

Overstimulation can make it difficult for babies to wind down and fall asleep. If your baby is having trouble sleeping, it may be a sign that they are feeling overwhelmed. To help them relax and prepare for sleep, establish a consistent bedtime routine and create a calm sleep environment. This may involve dimming the lights, reducing noise levels, and ensuring the room is cool and comfortable.

Avoidance of eye contact

Babies may avoid eye contact when they are feeling overwhelmed or overstimulated. This is a way for them to self-soothe and regulate their emotions. It is important to respect their need for space and avoid forcing eye contact. Instead, offer gentle touch and a calm presence to provide comfort and reassurance.

Increased startle reflex

Overstimulation can heighten a baby's startle reflex, causing them to jump or flinch easily. This can be distressing for both the baby and the caregiver. To help soothe a baby with an increased startle reflex, swaddle them to provide a sense of security and reduce the intensity of the reflex. Additionally, creating a calm environment with minimal sudden noises and movements can help to prevent startling your baby.

As per the American Psychological Association (APA), only 58.5 per cent of US teens always or usually receive the social and emotional support they need, as per the report by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Another National Institutes of Health (NIH, US) report notes that the most mental health disorders among children ages 3 to 17 in 2016 to 2019 were attention deficit disorder (9.8%, approximately 6 million), anxiety (9.4%, approximately 5.8 million), behavior problems (8.9%, approximately 5.5 million), and depression (4.4%, approximately 2.7 million). For adolescents, depression is concerning because 15.1% of adolescents ages 12-17 years had a major depressive episode in 2018-201.

However, not all are able to receive the help, in fact, parents too find themselves struggling when it comes to helping their children.

Despite growing concern about a mental health crisis among young people in the United States, a large national study suggests the care system continues to fall short for many families.

Researchers from the Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Institute in Boston found that nearly one quarter of children who require mental health treatment are not receiving it.

The findings come from survey data collected from more than 173,000 households between June 2023 and September 2024.

Many Families Recognize the Need but Cannot Get Help

The analysis showed that about one in five households, or 20 per cent, had at least one child who needed mental health support. Yet among those families, nearly 25 per cent said those needs were not met.

Even families that eventually obtained care often faced significant hurdles. Nearly 17 per cent described the process as difficult and exhausting.

The research letter was published February 16 in JAMA Pediatrics.

Household Structure Shapes Access

The study found that family circumstances strongly influenced how easy it was to navigate the health care system.

Families with multiple children reported higher unmet needs at 28 per cent, compared with 21 per cent in households with only one child. Single parent households also reported more difficulty securing appointments.

Education setting played a role as well. Homeschooled children had higher unmet needs at 31 per cent compared with 25 per cent among children attending public school. Researchers suggest this may reflect the absence of school counselors and other school based support systems.

Insurance and finances created additional barriers. About 40 per cent of families covered by Medicaid or without insurance said they could not get care specifically because it was too hard to access.

In a news release, lead author Alyssa Burnett said nearly one quarter of parents reported that at least one child did not receive needed mental health care, highlighting persistent access gaps.

Cost, Availability and Logistics Remain Major Obstacles

Researchers noted several common barriers. Families cited treatment costs, a shortage of clinicians and logistical issues such as scheduling and travel.

The study also found disparities among racial and ethnic groups. Families from minority backgrounds had higher rates of unmet needs compared with non Hispanic white households. However, Black households reported less difficulty accessing care at 13 per cent compared with 17 per cent among white households.

Bringing Care Closer to Families

Experts involved in the study say improving access may require shifting where care is delivered.

Senior author Hao Yu, an associate professor of population medicine at the institute, said states should expand the child mental health workforce and integrate mental health services into primary care settings to remove barriers and improve access to needed treatment.

A majority of women may experience infections during the crucial phase of pregnancy. Some infections during pregnancy may also not show clear symptoms. However, timely awareness and prevention can protect both the mother and the baby.

Pregnancy is a special and sensitive phase in a woman’s life. While most women focus on nutrition and regular check-ups, infections during pregnancy can often be neglected.

Some infections may cause only mild symptoms in the mother but can seriously affect the unborn baby if not detected early. Hence, regular screening, good hygiene, and timely medical care are crucial to prevent most pregnancy-related infections and ensure a safe and healthy pregnancy.

Common Infections During Pregnancy

• Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs)

• Vaginal infections

• Respiratory infections

• TORCH infections

• Hepatitis B and C can be passed from mother to baby during childbirth if not properly managed.

Tips To Follow To Prevent Infections During Pregnancy

• Pregnant women should go for regular antenatal check-ups, maintain good personal hygiene, and not use any chemical-laden products.
• Stay hydrated and drink enough water, eat home-cooked food, avoid raw or undercooked items, wash your hands frequently, and get vaccinated as recommended by the doctor.
• Take a flu shot on a priority basis. Avoid contact with rodents and pets.
• Make sure to consult the expert in case of symptoms such as fever, pain, or unusual discharge for prompt intervention.
• Get tested for sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) such as HPV, chlamydia, gonorrhea, herpes, syphilis, and trichomoniasis.
• Early detection and treatment will be beneficial in safeguarding both mother and baby and ensuring a healthy pregnancy.

Motherhood is not easy to navigate from, while there are many telling you what to do after becoming a parent, rarely do mothers get the guidance they need, especially about disease transmission. Some infections in mothers can pass on to babies during pregnancy, delivery or even while breastfeeding. Know which ones are they:

HIV

It is human immunodeficiency virus that attacks cells that help the body fight infections and makes the person vulnerable to diseases. The virus can be transmitted through contact with infected blood, semen or vaginal fluids.

HIV can be transferred to the baby during birth or even while breast feeding, notes the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The risk of transmission is highest in the early months of breastfeeding and the rate is estimated to be at least 16%, and prolonged breastfeeding nearly doubles the chances.

Hepatitis B

Also known as HBV is a viral infection that, as per the World Health Organization (WHO) causes live infection and can lead to short term or chronic disease. It can be spread by exposure to infected bodily fluids.

It can be passed on to the child at birth, however to prevent this, the babies can receive the HBIG/HBV vaccines at birth. CDC also mentions that the risk of HBV mother-to-child transmission through breastfeeding is negligible if the vaccine is received.

Syphilis

As per WHO, it is a preventable and curable bacterial sexually transmitted infection that can cause serious health issues if it is left untreated. Many people with syphilis do not have any symptoms, or do not notice them. It can be transmitted during oral, vaginal, and anal sex, in pregnancy and through blood transfusion.

Cytomegalovirus (CMV)

CDC notes that this is the most common infectious cause of birth effects in the United States and can spread through body fluids like saliva and urine. It is a genus of viruses in the order Herpesvirales, in the family of Herpesviridae.

Zika Virus

As per WHO, Zika virus infection during pregnancy can cause infants to be born with microcephaly and other congenital malformations as well as preterm birth and miscarriage.

It is a mosquito-borne virus that can cause serious birth defects, notes the CDC.

Toxoplasmosis

Toxoplasmosis is an infection with a parasite called Toxoplasma gondii, which can be found in uncooked meat. This can also be contacted by cat feces and the parasite can be passed down to a baby during pregnancy.