The over-sensitive infant

The over-sensitive infant may be irritable or spend a lot of time 'shut down' to avoid disorganisation and sensory overload. For these infants, your strategies will be focused more on calming and containing as well as making the sensory environment more predictable.  For example:

• swaddling and/or nesting (e.g. in mum’s arms, a supportive chair or horseshoe pillow)
• use of low lighting in your room
• slow deep touch: often a hand placed on the sternum is calming for young babies
• use of quieter, calm and “slow” voice
• use of a consistent “cue” to indicate to the baby that you are going to approach or handle.