Finding the Just Right Place

Figuring out what your baby needs can be confusing

Is your baby hot or cold? Are they hungry? Teething? Is the diaper dirty? Perhaps they are getting sick? Maybe just tired?

Thankfully, babies talk to us in many ways despite their lack of words!

Babies communicate to us in various ways

Expressions

Gestures

Voice

 

Eyes

Babies have Behavioral States

Behavioral States are levels of alertness and arousal that newborns cycle through throughout the day and night.

Smooth transitions between these states is one of your baby’s brains first task.

In attuning to your baby, you will understand and align with their needs.

Active Alert

  • Breathing irregular or regular

  • Eyes open, but less engaged

  • Active face and body

  • Sensitive to stimuli

Babies are at their most active in this state. They can be over-stimulated and move into fussiness. They are more sensitive to internal stimuli (I’m hungry, I need my diaper changed, I need to be held) and external stimuli (it’s too loud, too bright, too many people).

Noticing when your baby is moving into an active alert state or towards fussiness, is a perfect time for interventions that help slow them down or moving them back to a quiet alert state.

Light Sleep

  • Your baby’s breathing will be irregular

  • Eyes will be closed with rapid eye movement, eyelids may “flutter” a lot

  • Grimaces, mews, mouths, smiles

  • Body may be more active (arms and legs in particular)

  • May make sounds, cries, gurgles

  • Responds to stimuli; more easily aroused

  • Cycles back into deep sleep or into waking up

Newborns will spend about 16 hours a day either in the Deep Sleep or Light Sleep states. This will typically be in 1-4 hour stretches of sleep due to the need for a newborn to eat every 2-3 hours.

Crying

  • Breathing irregular with jagged with cries

  • Eyes open or shut

  • Overly stimulated and disorganized

  • Can become red or mottled

In this state, your baby will not be receptive to new information or sensations. This is their direct way of asking you for help by picking them up, soothing them, changing their diaper, or just holding them.

Deep Sleep

  • Rhythmic breathing

  • Eyes closed; little “fluttering”

  • Relaxed facial expression

  • Little body movement

  • Does not respond to stimuli; difficult to wake

If you lightly raise your baby’s arm, and it drops heavily and baby will not stir then they are in deep sleep. In this state the baby is quiet and you do not need to do anything for them. Now is your time to rest!

Drowsy

  • Breathing is irregular

  • Eyes are open or closed

  • Relaxed facial expression

  • Some startling

  • External movements or sounds can stimulate or lull to sleep

This is a good time for gentle soothing such as bouncing, rocking, patting, shushing, walking, swaying or in some combination.

Quiet Alert

  • Regular breathing

  • Bright eyes, fixed gaze

  • Focus on parent; can mimic

  • Engaged with environment

  • Minimal body activity, body is relaxed

This is when infants absorb information, play and learn. It’s also a good time for feeding and bonding.

Quiet alert is the just right place.

If your baby is not transitioning smoothly from state to state, they may need more support.

Try some of these things to help

calm and soothe your baby.

  • Hold them

  • Hold them & rhythmical pat

  • Gentle rock or swing

  • Talk or sing to them in a slow, soothing voice

  • Try changing the scenery

  • Calm yourself while you calm your baby

  • Together you can get to the just right place

The Just Right Place is optimal for…

  • Feeding

  • Play/Learn

  • Socializing

Together you can both find the

“Just Right Place”