The reality of having a high need baby and how to deal with him

If you have a high needs baby, and wants to know how to deal with him/her, just keep reading.

Many parents, both first-time parents and those with previous children, are startled by how early they see a unique little personality in their infant. Indeed, just as children and adults have distinct personalities, so do newborns.
A high-needs infant is often cranky, demanding, and tough. They may never seem to be content or cheerful, which may be draining and annoying, to say the least.
But you’re not alone, and although there may not seem to be an end in sight, it doesn’t imply you have another 18 years of misery to look forward to. During the first few years, many parents go through this with their infants. However, with the correct tools and methods, you can get through these early years without losing your mind.

The reality of having a high need baby and how to deal with him

High needs babies and sleep:

If you have a special-needs kid, you know that it takes a bit more effort, ingenuity, and patience to figure out how to parent. A high-need personality paired with a lack of sleep adds to the tension and frustration.
A kid who does not receive enough sleep will have a tough temperament, will be difficult to put to sleep and remain asleep, will be fussy/cranky all day, and will lack the capacity to occupy themselves. Once their sleep pattern and habit are established, many parents discover that their kid is not in need at all.

Your infant is unable to unwind:

When you see other infants peacefully sitting in their swings and bouncers while their parents enjoy a dinner or adult conversation, you may feel a bit of envy.
A high-needs infant grows anxious, tense, and screams ceaselessly until they are taken up. These infants are usually quite active. They are always moving, whether they are being held or sitting in a playpen. They may also move around a lot while sleeping.

Your infant is very sensitive to touch:

Some special needs infants need continuous contact and must be carried at all times. Others, on the other hand, are extraordinarily sensitive to touch and wail anytime they are held or swaddled in a blanket. Either extreme may suggest a baby with special needs.

So, why is it that a high-needs baby doesn’t sleep?

Experts believe that a newborn with special needs is highly attentive and interested in what is going on around him or her.
In fact, such a newborn is always ‘on,’ making it impossible for him or her to relax and filter out stimulation.
In other words, the switch off’ button is very difficult to locate – such a baby needs the assistance of a parent to locate the switch off’ button since the baby cannot do it on his or her own.
A high-need infant is also more likely than other newborns to wake up between sleep cycles, necessitating compulsory tiptoeing. Fortunately, as a baby grows older, his or her sleep patterns mature (we notice this because they sleep better), but a high-need infant’s sleep system takes longer to mature.’


How to deal with a high need baby?

1. Don’t set expectations:

Put all expectations of how you thought things should be in the trash can. Remember, the general guidelines in parenting books are completely useless because the reality is different, and your baby is unique.

2. Learn to read your baby’s cues:

Try to learn how to read your baby to meet his demands as soon as possible to prevent him/her from exploding.
Learn the signs of a hungry baby, a sleepy baby, or a windy baby. That will help you act before the baby starts crying.

3. Meet your baby’s emotional needs:

How many time someone told you: ( if you pick that baby every time she cries, you’re going to spoil her)?
If you ever been told that you are going to spoil your baby, just ignore it.
Meeting the emotional needs of a newborn baby is one of the essential things a caregiver has to provide, and bonding with the mother is one of the critical needs of the baby. Also one of the signs of a healthy baby is being calm when his/her mom holds him/her.

4. Put yourself first!

First of all, remember to be kind to yourself when you care for a high-needs baby because you have needs as well.
You need a lot of rest. Parenting to a newborn is never an easy task. If you’re not taking care of yourself, you can’t take care of everyone else.
Putting yourself first doesn’t mean you’re not taking care of your family and doing what’s right for them. It simply means that you are the engine of the household and you have to be cared for and supported, or else the whole family suffers.
Taking time for yourself will help you prevent the stay-at-home mom depression or burnout.

5. Include dad:

Fathers, like mothers, are pillars in the development of a child’s emotional well-being. So, you need to include your partner in parenting.
The dad can help you with household chores, caring to the baby, taking care of the other children while you’re breastfeeding.
And we don’t have to forget the emotional support to the mom, if you are a dad, just tell your wife that she’s doing a great job and you are proud of her, and tell her how much you love her.

Dad’s guide for fatherhood


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