As a pediatrician who recently welcomed my own little one, I’ve been inundated with questions from parents of multiple children. One of the most pressing inquiries is how to manage bedtime for a newborn when there’s a lively toddler about. I’ve heard various suggestions—from letting your baby adjust to the background noise to momentarily distracting the toddler with screen time. However, I quickly recognized that these strategies might not be effective for every family, especially when your baby exhibits a pronounced case of FOMO.
FOMO, or the “fear of missing out,” refers to the anxiety some children feel about missing experiences, and it can make bedtime a challenge. My research and experience have shown that babies with FOMO can display several common behaviors.
- Resistance to Sleep: Forget the advice about putting your baby down ‘drowsy but awake.’ For FOMO babies, the transition from alertness to sleep can be a dramatic affair, often resulting in frustration for both the parent and the child.
- Late Signals: These babies rarely show early signs of tiredness. Instead of yawning or rubbing their eyes, they may remain cheerful and wide-eyed until they’re overtired. Once you notice that yawn, it’s often too late.
- Extended Bedtime Routines: Expect to spend considerable time trying to soothe your baby to sleep. You’ll likely rock, shush, and sing until you’re exhausted, only to be met with wide-open eyes staring back at you.
- No Sleeping on the Go: FOMO babies resist sleep in transit. You might wish to be blissfully ignorant of their wakefulness during car rides, but toddlers have a knack for revealing the truth about their siblings’ napping status.
- Unfamiliar Places: Whether visiting relatives or going on vacation, anticipate your baby resisting naps in new environments. The allure of new sights and sounds can be too enticing for a FOMO baby.
- Breastfeeding Challenges: Even during breastfeeding, FOMO babies often resist the urge to sleep. They may come off the breast as if energized, determined to stay engaged in the action around them.
- Awareness of Routines: These babies can quickly become familiar with bedtime routines and may protest them vigorously. It’s a common phase that may extend into their toddler years.
- Short Routines are Best: Lengthy bedtime rituals may inadvertently energize FOMO babies. Instead, opt for brief, calming routines that signal sleep without over-exciting them.
- Sensitivity to Sound: Blackout curtains and white noise machines become essential tools in your parenting toolkit. These children often struggle to sleep through any ambient noise.
- Fighting Sleep: You may feel victorious when they start to doze off, only for them to suddenly awaken with renewed energy. Avoid direct eye contact during these moments, as it can somehow reignite their alertness.
- Potentially Smarter: While it may seem anecdotal, some parents joke that FOMO babies might be more perceptive or intelligent. It’s a humorous coping mechanism for those sleepless nights.
If you identify with these signs, your baby may indeed have a serious case of FOMO. The situation isn’t hopeless; consider creating a dark, quiet sanctuary in your home where you and your child can retreat for a year or so. For more information on managing such parenting challenges, check out this excellent resource on treating infertility and other related topics.
In summary, managing a baby with FOMO can be a trying experience, but understanding their behaviors can help parents navigate these challenges more effectively.