When a newborn comes into the world, many new parents will find that the state of the baby seems to be ever-changing. Sometimes she keeps her eyes open and quietly observes her surroundings; Sometimes she dances with her hands and is very excited; Sometimes they become restless and even cry and fuss. In fact, these are the normal states of consciousness of newborns. Understanding the patterns of these states will not only help parents take better care of their babies, but also make parenting easier.

Six states of consciousness in newborns

There are six types of babies in their day, including two sleep states and four waking states. These states cycle multiple times a day, gradually changing as your baby grows.

Deep sleep (state 1): At this time, your baby sleeps soundly, relaxes and is less easily disturbed by outside sounds or movements. Even if she shakes the rattle in her ear, she may only move slightly and won't wake up. This deep sleep is essential for your baby's growth and development, helping to promote brain development and physical recovery.

Light sleep (state 2): This is a lighter state of sleep in which your baby's eyelids are closed, but their eyeballs move rapidly under their eyelids. If there is a loud noise from the outside world, she may be awakened. Light sleep accounts for a large part of the baby's sleep cycle, and its main role is to promote brain activity and lay the foundation for the baby's future cognitive development.

Drowsiness (state 3): This is usually experienced when your baby has just woken up or is about to fall asleep. She may stretch, yawn, and her eyes are half-open and half-closed, sometimes twitching slightly. At this stage, your baby's consciousness is not yet very awake and it may take a while for them to fully enter a state of wakefulness or sleep.

Quiet and awake (state 4): This is the state in which your baby is best suited to interact with people. She will keep her eyes open, quietly observe the world around her, listen to sounds, and even react to your expressions and voices. If you shake a toy in front of her at this point, she may stare intently and show intense interest. Therefore, this is the best time to interact with your baby, tell stories, and play games.

Active and awake (state 5): In this state, your baby is still alert, but she is more active than in a quiet, awake state, waving her hands and feet, and possibly babbling. If you ring a bell in her ear, she may quickly turn her head to find the source of the sound. Babies at this stage are most sensitive to external stimuli and are a good time to develop their sensory abilities.

Crying state (status 6): When your baby cries, she usually feels uncomfortable, such as being hungry, getting wet diapers, tired, or overstimulated. At this point, she has a hard time receiving new information and is not interested in toys or sounds. The best thing to do is to soothe her first rather than trying to divert her attention with toys or other means. As your baby grows, you can slowly try to calm her down with something interesting, but the most effective way to pick her up and give her warm comfort at the beginning of life.

How do I schedule my baby's daily activities?

After understanding these six states, parents can arrange their baby's daily activities more scientifically, avoid forcing feeding or playing when she is in a downturn, and can also seize her best waking time to interact.

Make the most of quiet and active wakefulness (states 5 and 0): This is the time when your baby is most willing to learn and interact with simple sensory stimuli such as talking softly, showing black and white cards, playing a soft rattle game, etc. These activities can help your baby's visual, auditory, and attention development.

Avoid forcible interactions when your baby is crying (Status 6): Many parents see their baby crying and rush to distract her with toys or sounds. But in reality, crying babies only want comfort, not new stimuli. At this time, parents should first check whether she is hungry, diaper, or tired, and then take appropriate measures to reassure her.

Respect your baby's sleep patterns (states 2 and 0): Your baby's sleep patterns are erratic during the first month and require deep and light sleep cycles multiple times throughout the day. Parents can pay attention to your baby's sleepiness signs, such as rubbing her eyes, yawning or slowing down her movements, and arrange for her to fall asleep when she is just starting to be sleepy, rather than waiting until she cries to fall asleep.

Understanding your baby's drowsiness (State 3): Your baby is in a "transitional" state at this stage and may need some gentle guidance to fall asleep or be fully awake. You can gently pat her, sing a lullaby, or let her get used to it in a quiet environment.

Your baby's state will change as they grow

In the first month of life, the baby's state of consciousness will change greatly, and parents do not need to be too entangled in a fixed schedule. As her nervous system develops, she gradually develops more regular patterns of eating, sleeping, and wakefulness. In general, by a month or so, your baby will be awake longer during the day and will be more focused and responsive when awake.

In conclusion, understanding your baby's six states of consciousness can help parents better understand her needs and avoid unnecessary anxiety and misunderstandings. As long as you are patient and follow the rhythm of your baby, the road to parenting will be easier and more enjoyable!

Proofread by Zhuang Wu