Parent Tips – Baby States
Babies move through different states of wakefulness and sleepiness, each baby will do this this in their own way, moving from one stage to another quickly and not always in the same order. It is important you get to know your baby’s patterns and feel confident in recognising and responding to their cues to help your baby feel calm, happy and understood. There are 6 baby states which are:
1. Deep Sleep
Looks like…
- Lying still with minimal movement (occasional startle, jerk or sucking movements)
- Eyes are closed tight
- Breathing steady and regular
- Will be hard to wake up
- Your baby may wake but return to sleep quickly
- Feeding is usually unsuccessful
Think…
Let your baby sleep and rest – babies do most of their growing during deep sleep. They need a comfortable and if possible familiar place to sleep
2. Light Sleep
Looks like…
- Their eyelids are closed or fluttering (occasionally you may see rapid eye movements under their eyelids)
- Make sucking or facial movements
- May make a sleep smile
- Irregular breathing
- Wake easily
- Feeding can be difficult
Think…
- Is my baby still tired? Or needing time to wake up? Do they need time to go back to sleep or wake up?
- Would my baby like a cuddle?
3. Drowsy
Looks like…
- Have heavy-lidded eyes which may flutter or look glazed
- Opening and closing of eyes
- Make smooth body movements but may startle suddenly.
Think…
- Your baby may need time to wake up before feeding and interacting
- Think how do I feel just before waking up?
- Does my baby want a cuddle?
- Is my baby ready to wake up?
4. Quiet Alert
Looks like…
- Awake, quiet and paying attention
- Be wide eyed with a bright face and a still body
- Be interested in your face and voice
- Focused and be interested in what’s going on
Think…
- Give lots of time and watch for baby’s cues
- Your baby may like to take some time to watch before engaging.
- This is the best time to play & interact with my baby - feed, talk, look at, or hold your baby.
5. Unsettled/Active Alert
Looks like…
- Unsettled and fussing
- Lots of movement; wriggling and squirming
- Thrashing movements with arms and legs
- Irregular breathing
- More sensitive to loud noises and light
- Difficult to interact
- If left alone could console themselves
Think…
- Does my baby need a change of pace, feeding, change of position?
- Do I need to slow down or stop/change what I’m doing? Is it too much?
- If it is during night, your baby may need feeding?
