Why Is My Baby So Fussy? Understanding Sensory Processing in Infants

Your baby is screaming. Again. You've checked everything: diaper clean, belly full, temperature fine. Nothing obvious is wrong. So why won't they stop crying?

Here's a possibility you might not have considered: the world is too much for them right now.

As an occupational therapist, I see the world through a sensory lens. And I can tell you that your baby is experiencing more sensory input in every moment than you can imagine. For some babies, processing all of that input is overwhelming.

What Is Sensory Processing?

Sensory processing is how our nervous system receives, organizes, and responds to sensory information from our environment and our bodies. We're not just talking about the five senses you learned in school. There are actually eight sensory systems:

1. Visual (sight): Light, colors, movement, faces
2. Auditory (hearing): Sounds, voices, background noise
3. Tactile (touch): Textures, temperature, pressure
4. Olfactory (smell): Scents in the environment
5. Gustatory (taste): Flavors during feeding
6. Vestibular (movement): Position, motion, balance
7. Proprioceptive (body awareness): Where the body is in space, pressure in joints and muscles
8. Interoceptive (internal): Hunger, fullness, need to eliminate, temperature regulation

Your baby's brain is working overtime to process all of this, all the time.

Your baby isn't being difficult. Their nervous system is working hard to make sense of a world that is completely new and often overwhelming.

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Why Babies Are Sensory Sensitive

Think about where your baby was before birth: a dark, warm, quiet (muffled), snug environment where all their needs were automatically met. Now they're in a world of:

• Bright lights
• Sudden sounds
• Temperature changes
• Different textures against their skin
• Open space with nothing pressing around them
• Hunger and other uncomfortable sensations they've never felt

It's a lot. And their nervous system is still developing the capacity to filter, organize, and regulate all of this input.

Signs Your Baby May Be Sensory Sensitive

Some sensitivity is completely normal in newborns. Their systems are immature. But if your baby seems significantly more sensitive than others, or if these patterns persist, they may need extra support with sensory regulation.

Two Types of Sensory Responses

Sensory Sensitive (Avoiding)

These babies are easily overwhelmed. They may:

• Cry in busy environments
• Startle at sounds
• Dislike certain textures or being undressed
• Need very calm, quiet environments to settle
• Seem to need more recovery time after stimulation

Sensory Seeking

These babies need MORE input to feel regulated. They may:

• Need constant motion to stay calm
• Love loud sounds or music
• Seem to need tight swaddling or deep pressure
• Be calmed by vibration or white noise
• Seem understimulated in quiet environments

Many babies are a mix of both, depending on the sense.

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Strategies for Sensory Sensitive Babies

Reduce Sensory Input

• Dim the lights: Keep the environment softly lit
• Reduce noise: Turn off background TV, use white noise to mask sudden sounds
• Limit visitors: Passing baby between many people is overwhelming
• Slow transitions: Give warning before changes (talking gently before picking up)
• Warm hands and surfaces: Cold touch is startling

Provide Calming Input

• Swaddling: Recreates the containment of the womb
• Deep pressure: Firm (not light) touch is calming
• Slow, rhythmic movement: Rocking, swaying
• Skin-to-skin: Regulates multiple systems at once
• Shushing: Mimics womb sounds

Strategies for Sensory Seeking Babies

• Movement: Bouncing, swinging, baby-wearing while walking
• Deep pressure: Firm massage, tight swaddle
• Vibration: Vibrating bouncer or rocker
• White noise or music: Rhythmic sounds
• Textured toys: Different textures to explore

Creating a Sensory-Friendly Environment

1. Nursery: Dim lighting, blackout curtains, neutral colors, minimal visual clutter
2. Feeding area: Quiet, calm, consistent location
3. Play space: Not too many toys out at once
4. Bath time: Warm room, warm water, soft towel ready

When to Get Help

Most sensory sensitivities in newborns improve as their nervous system matures. But if you notice:

• Extreme reactions that seem beyond normal
• Feeding difficulties related to sensory issues
• Significant sleep problems
• Inability to calm despite your best efforts
• Your own exhaustion and overwhelm

Consider reaching out to:

• Your pediatrician (to rule out other causes)
• A pediatric occupational therapist (for sensory evaluation and strategies)
• A postpartum doula (for daily support)

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The Big Picture

Your baby isn't giving you a hard time. They're having a hard time. The world is overwhelming, their nervous system is immature, and they need your help to regulate.

Understanding your baby's sensory needs can transform fussiness from a mystery into something you can actually address.

Watch your baby. Notice patterns. Adjust the environment. And know that this phase, like all phases, will pass as their nervous system matures.

You're doing great. And if you need help figuring out your baby's sensory world, we're here.