What to Anticipate When Your Baby Struggles with Severe FOMO

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Updated: June 10, 2021

Originally Published: Dec. 6, 2015

Ever since we brought our precious little one, Charlie, home just two months ago, I’ve been asking fellow moms of two or more the same burning question: How do you manage to put a baby to sleep with a lively toddler running around? Responses varied from turning on the TV for a few minutes to training your baby to sleep through the noise. While these suggestions may work for many families, I soon realized that they simply wouldn’t cut it in our home. Somehow, I’ve ended up with two little ones who both suffer from a severe case of FOMO—Fear of Missing Out.

So, what exactly is FOMO? According to Urban Dictionary, it’s the anxiety that comes from feeling like you’re missing out on fun experiences. My eldest child, Max, had it bad (though we’ve managed to gain some control), and it seems our little girl, Charlie, might be following in his footsteps.

The good news? Recognition is the first step. Once you realize your baby is grappling with FOMO, you can better understand their behavior and take steps to mitigate its effects. Thankfully, we recognized it early with Charlie, giving us hope for a smoother path ahead.

Signs Your Baby Might Have FOMO

1. You chuckle at books that suggest putting your baby down “drowsy, but awake.” FOMO babies transition from cheerful and alert to furiously upset before finally dozing off—there’s no middle ground.
2. FOMO babies show no signs of tiredness until it’s far too late. Your baby might appear bright-eyed and playful all day, only to become overtired in an instant. If you catch a yawn, brace yourself for an hour and a half of struggle to get them to sleep.
3. Getting a FOMO baby to sleep can take ages. You may find yourself rocking, bouncing, shushing, patting, swaddling, singing, and humming until your hands are numb, all while your baby stares wide-eyed back at you.
4. FOMO babies don’t “sleep on the go.” You’d rather remain blissfully unaware than buy a car mirror, only to discover your baby stayed awake the entire hour to Grandma’s house. The toddler, however, is all too honest: “Is she asleep?” “NO, Charlie not asleep!”
5. FOMO babies resist sleeping in strange places. Heading to Grandma’s or going on vacation? Prepare for zero naps. Why would a baby, who’s only just arrived, want to miss out on everything going on around them?
6. FOMO babies won’t fall asleep while breastfeeding. Even without any caffeine in your system, your baby acts like they’ve just had a double espresso. They’ll do anything to remain in the action, including unlatching prematurely—resulting in some messy moments.
7. FOMO babies quickly learn your sleep routine and protest it passionately. Unfortunately, this resistance may continue into their toddler years. But don’t fret; they’ll likely sleep through anything when they hit their teenage years.
8. Speaking of routines, a lengthy one only energizes FOMO babies. Long baths won’t soothe them, and baby massages often turn into tickle fights. Keep it short and sweet; trust me.
9. FOMO babies are light sleepers. Invest in blackout shades and sound machines—these little ones will not sleep through noise, no matter how hard you try. My son, Max, spent his early days in the city, yet he never learned to sleep through commotion.
10. FOMO babies fight sleep tooth and nail. You might think you’ve finally won when their eyes start to droop, but they’ll spring back to life at the slightest glance from you, recharging their energy for another few hours.
11. FOMO babies are clever. Okay, I can’t really prove this, but you have to convince yourself of something to avoid pulling out your already thinning hair while trying to get them to sleep.

If you’re nodding along to many of these signs, it’s likely your baby has a significant case of FOMO. But don’t despair; your situation isn’t hopeless! Just find the darkest room in your house, crank up some white noise, and settle in there for about one to two years. For more insights, check out this helpful post on FOMO here.

In summary, parenting a FOMO baby can be challenging, but understanding their behavior can help you navigate the sleepless nights. Remember to keep routines short, stay observant, and embrace the chaos—after all, this phase won’t last forever!